Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 31-year-old David Whitman of Niagara Falls pleaded guilty last week before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (Class “E” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty on April 1, 2021.

The defendant admitted that he collected a total of $21,472.23 in deposits from five different customers to perform roof repairs between March 30, 2019 and September 10, 2019. The defendant, who was the sole owner and operator of Whitman Metal and Roofing, never performed any work on the victim’s homes, which were located in Cheektowaga, Depew, Derby and Williamsville.  

Whitman faces a maximum of four years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. The defendant was released on his own recognizance in this case, but remains in custody for an out-of-state detainer.

The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.

Any additional victims can contact the Erie County District Attorney’s Office at 716-858-2424.