Missouri AG: Carbone Contractor Fraud Judgment Secures $180K Restitution

• Daniel M. Carbone, owner of Concrete Impressions, received a judgment of over $180,000 in restitution for contractor fraud.
• He was sentenced on 12 felony counts related to deceptive home repair practices in Franklin County.
• Carbone took large down payments for concrete work but performed minimal or no services, refusing refunds to victims.
• His sentence includes 10 years for financial exploitation of an elderly person, 7 years for stealing, and 4 years for deceptive business practices, all suspended with 5 years of supervised probation.
• The court also prohibited Carbone from owning any concrete construction company as part of his sentencing.

This Missouri AG Carbone contractor fraud judgment underscores the state's firm stance against such illicit activities, ensuring Daniel M. Carbone restitution for victims.

The Missouri Attorney General's office recently announced a significant legal victory, securing a restitution judgment exceeding $180,000 against Daniel M. Carbone, the proprietor of Concrete Impressions. This judgment stems from Carbone's conviction on a dozen felony counts related to contractor fraud, specifically involving deceptive home repair practices within Franklin County. Carbone's fraudulent scheme involved promising concrete and other exterior remodeling services to consumers, often requiring substantial upfront payments.

However, after receiving these advance funds, he would either perform minimal work before abandoning projects entirely or, in some instances, fail to commence any work whatsoever. Victims were subsequently left without materials corresponding to their payments and faced repeated refusals when demanding refunds. The court ultimately ordered Carbone to pay $180,953.27 in restitution to those he defrauded.

The legal process against Carbone commenced in April 2023, following his indictment by a Franklin County grand jury on all 12 felony charges. Facing these serious allegations, Carbone subsequently entered a guilty plea to every count in the indictment. This admission of guilt led to a comprehensive sentencing, which included a 10-year term for the felony counts of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person, seven years for each felony Stealing count, and four years for each Deceptive Business Practices count. All these sentences are slated to be served within the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Notably, while the sentences were ordered to run concurrently, their execution was suspended. Instead, Carbone was placed on supervised probation for a period of five years and explicitly prohibited from owning any concrete construction company. This Missouri AG Carbone contractor fraud judgment underscores the state's firm stance against such illicit activities, ensuring Daniel M. Carbone restitution for victims.

Attorney General Hanaway underscored the profound impact of such crimes, stating that "financial exploitation takes a tremendous toll on victims, and every successful prosecution helps restore a measure of trust and stability." She affirmed her office's dedication to securing restitution for those harmed and its ongoing commitment to eradicating fraud to safeguard consumers throughout Missouri. This case, highlighting deceptive home repair practices in Franklin County, serves as a stark reminder of the Missouri contractor compliance risk faced by businesses that fail to adhere to ethical standards.

The Attorney General's office actively encourages citizens who suspect they have fallen victim to home repair scams to file a complaint, either by contacting their consumer protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or by submitting a report online at ago.mo.gov. The Consumer Protection Section within the Attorney General’s office exemplifies its commitment to protecting Missourians, staffed by skilled consumer-protection attorneys who diligently investigate and prosecute fraudulent activities. The office also actively seeks to expand its team, inviting attorneys interested in public service to explore career opportunities on its website. This robust approach demonstrates the Missouri Attorney General Hanaway consumer protection efforts are a top priority.

Lawyers advising contractors in Missouri should counsel clients on strict compliance with consumer protection laws, particularly regarding upfront payments and project completion, given the Attorney General's successful prosecution and significant restitution/sentencing in this case. This judgment highlights the AG's enforcement priorities against deceptive business practices and financial exploitation, providing a precedent for similar cases.

Source: Based on reporting from the Missouri Attorney General's Office.