PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County detectives have arrested another builder after authorities received a complaint he collected more than $11,000 in down payments without work proceeding.
Investigators allege he previously was cited for unlicensed contracting in 2018.
Lucas Rozsypalek, 36, Murdock, has been charged with one count each of grand theft and falsely presenting as a contractor during a state of emergency.
Charlotte County Sheriff's Office received a complaint against Rozsypalek in December, according to a probable cause affidavit, alleging fraud regarding a contract for work at a Punta Gorda residence.
The complainant alleged he met with Rozsypalek shortly after Hurricane Ian to have new kitchen cabinets put in at his Buccaneer Boulevard home.
The payment for the work was made in three installments: a $2,000 cash deposit in late 2022, a $2,500 cash payment in January 2023, and a $6,800 check made out in June 2023.
The homeowner attempted to reach Rozsypalek several times by phone and text to follow-up on the work, without success, before approaching the CCSO Economic Crimes Unit.
"The victim stated that he met (Rozsypalek) while they were in a pool league together and he asked (him) to do the work because he trusted him," the affidavit read.
Rozsypalek was identified in the affidavit as the owner and operator of Granite Enterprises of SW FL, a Port Charlotte-based contracting firm.
Investigators later contacted the Charlotte County Community Development Department, who confirmed Rozsypalek was cited for unlicensed contracting in 2018 and had no current contracting license.
He was previously fined $1,000 for the 2018 incident, which was never paid. Detectives took that, in connection with his contracting job for the complainant, as evidence he continued contracting work after he was informed about the issue.
The complainant told investigators Rozsypalek contacted him in July and gave him a partial refund. However, that left roughly $6,000 with no progress on the agreed upon work.
Rozsypalek was arrested and transported to Charlotte County Jail, where he was later released on $5,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 26.
The Daily Sun has attempted to call Granite Enterprises at a listed number for comment and left a voicemail.
Charlotte County deputies arrested another local contractor, North Port resident Brian Frederick White, earlier this month on at least six charges of holding onto deposits without starting work.
The Punta Gorda Police Department arrested another — Louisiana resident Tommie Jenkins — after he accepted a deposit over $13,000 and never installed a new pool enclosure for the client, according to reports.
Both men, like Rozsypalek, were contracted to take on home construction work after Hurricane Ian.
The issue of contractor integrity extends beyond post-hurricane recovery, however.
In March, former HD Homes co-founder Stephen Dukes was sentenced was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading no contest to charges of embezzlement and misappropriation of funds.
Authorities charged that Dukes and his business left about 22 homes they had sold unfinished after taking money from customers. He was arrested in 2020.
Most Popular
Comments / 0