Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon today announced the arrest of a home improvement contractor from Massapequa for the theft of more than $12,000 from an East Atlantic Beach homeowner.

Mark Powell, 38, of 55 Forest Avenue, Massapequa – president and sole owner of Speedy Dormers, Inc. – is charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison.

According to Dillon, "On October 3, 2000, an East Atlantic Beach homeowner contracted with the defendant to construct a second story dormer on his house. The victim paid an initial deposit of $16,800 toward the total agreed-upon price of $112,000. The defendant promptly deposited the check into his business account. However, after failing to obtain building permits and a variance from the Town of Hempstead because he filed incomplete applications, the defendant never commenced work on the victim's home.

"Over a year later, in November of 2001, the homeowner demanded his money back. Finally, in October 2002, after almost another full year had passed, the defendant agreed to refund the victim's money in four monthly payments of $4,200. However, he made only one payment; the victim is currently out $12,600. In addition, our investigation determined that the defendant had used the funds from the victim's deposit to issue numerous checksfor purposes unrelated to this contract. He thereby misappropriated the victim's funds, in violation of the Lien Law, which requires that such funds be withdrawn only for purposes related to the work contracted for."

Powell will be arraigned today in First District Court, Hempstead. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.