Contarino the Construction Con-Artist: Congressman Steube's Close Call with a Grifter’s Grab for Cash
Stephen D. Contarino Faces Felony Charges for Attempted Deception of Congressman Greg Steube in Ongoing Fraud Investigation.
- Sarasota-Bradenton, FL (1888PressRelease) September 30, 2023 - For several months we have had an ongoing investigation into the fraudulent activities of Stephen D. Contarino, most recently, a shocking turn of events has unfolded as he now faces felony charges for attempting to deceive esteemed Congressman Greg Steube.
Over the past several months, investigative efforts by Spotlight Sarasota have uncovered a web of deceit and financial improprieties surrounding Contarino, revealing a trail of legal disputes and judgments totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Contarino has repeatedly been found in violation of the law and has consistently produced subpar work for clients in Sarasota County and beyond.
Indeed, Contarino has an extensive history of legal issues, with a trail of documented misconduct spanning various aspects of his life. For the purpose of this article, we will specifically focus on his business endeavors.
The latest development in this ongoing narrative is nothing short of a jaw-dropping scandal. It centers on Contarino's audacious ploy to dupe Congressman Steube with a counterfeit contract, leading the unsuspecting Congressman to ink his signature on this deceitful document. To add to the audacity, Steube issued checks totaling $56,000.00 to the "Contractor Con-Artist Contarino," expecting nothing less than standard, high-quality work on his property.
It's imperative to underscore that Contarino has operated as an unlicensed contractor consistently for the past 15 years, leaving a trail of victims grappling with identical predicaments. Manatee County Clerk of Court records are peppered with civil suits, some ongoing, all stemming from the same recurring theme: Contarino, the con artist, swindling unsuspecting homeowners and property owners, thrusting them into dire straits.
In this specific case, Contarino not only deliberately deceived Congressman Steube, raking in over $50,000 in payment but also continued his well-established pattern of delivering substandard craftsmanship. This troubling reality surfaced when the construction project failed the Sarasota County Inspection, forcing an immediate halt to all work on Steube's property.
All of these actions, including the bold act of operating without a valid contractor's license, paint a disturbing picture of Contarino's disregard for the law, the quality of his work, the detrimental effect his illegal grifter business ploys have on innocent homeowners, and overall, pulling such an illegal act yet again, on our esteemed Congressman no less, paints a very disturbing picture as to Contarino’s seemingly lack of touch with reality.
When Congressman Steube uncovered the truth about Contarino's lack of a valid general contractor's license, failure to provide proper workers' compensation, and other violations of county regulations, he immediately contacted local authorities and warrants were issued.
The consequences for Contarino have been swift and severe. He now faces two very serious felony charges under Florida Statutes 489.127(1)(f), 489.127(2)(c), and 440.405 (4)(a)(3).
Contarino’s arraignment is scheduled for November 17, 2023 in Sarasota County. Furthermore, Contarino has three ongoing civil cases in Manatee County, with claims totaling $114,000, adding to his already mounting legal troubles.
In light of these developments, it has become clear that Contarino's actions not only affect individual homeowners but also have far-reaching consequences for the community as a whole. His pattern of fraudulent behavior and disregard for the law has put both individuals and their properties at risk.
The investigation into Stephen D. Contarino's fraudulent activities continues, with law enforcement and legal authorities diligently working to bring him to justice. The community is urged to exercise caution when dealing with contractors and to verify the credentials and reputation of individuals and businesses before entering into agreements.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Christy Chilton
Spotlight Sarasota
media ( @ ) spotlightsarasota dot com
(941)899-4272
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