Crime & Safety

Locals Busted for Having Home Improvement Businesses Without Permits

Written by Michael Ganci

A joint investigation between the Nassau County Consumer Affairs Department and the Fourth Precinct between April 29 and May 1 led to the arrest of 33 individuals for operating a home improvement business without a permit, including a Hewlett resident.

Michael McCormick, 46, of Bellmore, Christopher Guthrie, 51, of Bellmore, and John Esposito, 70, of Merrick, were among those busted. Guthrie was additionally charged with operating a motor vehicle with an expired inspection, excessively tinted windows and having only one registration plate.

Esposito was also observed operating a 1997 GMC with a registration and inspection sticker that were forged, police said. He was charged with two counts of second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

Paul Mazzarese, 33, of Elmont, was seen operating a 2008 BMW at the scene of the investigation. Cops said he was operating with a suspended license and possessed marijuana. In addition to operating a home improvement business without a permit, Mazzarese was charged with two counts of aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of marijuana.

According to police, the defendants were met by members of the Nassau County Consumer Affairs Department at a location in Valley Stream.

Police said the defendants then gave estimates on the work involved and were asked if they have a home business license. If the person in question said "yes," they were checked. If the person in question said "no," they were arrested.

Below is a list of the other arrestees:

  • Michael Them, 29, of Oyster Bay
  • Michael Simone, 45, of New York City
  • Byung Lee, 43, of Whitestone
  • Louis Recco, 49, of North Massapequa
  • Robert Maffia, 67, of Huntington Station
  • John Joyce, 37, of Huntington Station
  • Todd Boehm, 44, of Oceanside
  • Juan Lemus, 47, of Uniondale
  • Bryan Bruce, 41, of Lake Grove
  • Juan Hernandez, 39, of Hempstead
  • Timothy O’Farrell, 25, of Long Beach
  • Yizhar Damari, 28, of Jamaica
  • John Debatto, 49, of Center Moriches
  • Edgar Aguilar, 36, of Freeport
  • Robert Freudiger, 41, of Long Beach
  • Paul Monserrat, 36, of East Islip
  • Nicholas Alliegro, 27, of Bay Shore
  • Oscar Iglesias, 46, of Brentwood
  • Miguel Chavez, 58, of Bay Shore
  • Avraham Kardi, 45 of Hewlett
  • Allen Colnick, 69, of Long Beach
  • Barry Minsky, 40 of Oceanside
  • Darren Confessore, 51, of East Massapequa
  • Wayne Chester, 45, of Freeport
  • Ermen Lopez, 39, of Williston Park
  • Arnez Ali, 40, of Freeport
  • Yaron Shamua, 44, of Brooklyn
  • Gurpreet Singh, 23, of Richmond Hill
  • Felix Cruz Jr., 47, of Baldwin
Mazzarese and Esposito are scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday. The rest of the defendants were given appearance tickets and will be back at First District Court on May 22.


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