Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 41-year-old Richard D. Brady of Town of Tonawanda was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to an indeterminate sentence of 1 ½ to 3 years in prison. He was sentenced today as a second felony offender.

The defendant, while working as a home improvement contractor, collected payments from the victims between May 1, 2019 to November 5, 2019 and never performed any work. The defendant admitted to stealing a total of $43,414.08 from seven customers in Erie County. To date, the defendant has not paid any restitution to the victims.

 Brady pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (Class “E” felonies) on October 15, 2020. The defendant also pleaded guilty to charges in Niagara and Cattaraugus County where he committed similar crimes. His sentence today will run concurrent to his other sentences.

“Even the most cautious homeowner can become the victim if the person hired never shows up to perform the work. I encourage anyone who has been victimized by this offender or another home improvement contractor to contact my office,” said Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.