Police Tuesday charged a contractor who allegedly ripped off a mom and her three kids with first-degree larceny and reckless endangerment.
According to Detective Ben Trabka, Bryant Esparo, 46, of Durham, was hired two years ago to do a remodeling job at the Belmont Avenue home of Laura Sussan.
Esparo was the president of Cheshire Construction Services, LLC.
Sussan called police in February of this year, saying Esparo still hadn’t finished the job — despite her payout of nearly $60,000.
“However, the contractor began work, tore apart the Sussan home and began an addition without a permit,” according to a statement from Trabka.
Shelton building officials issued a stop work order Feb. 15.
“Esparo walked off the job, leaving the home open to the elements and causing a dangerous living situation for the family,” Trabka wrote.
“At the time of the complaint, Sussan and her three minor children could no longer live in the house and were homeless.”
Detective Michael Fusco investigated Sussan’s complaint for six months and was able to secure a warrant for Esparo’s arrest.
Esparo turned himself into police custody Tuesday after learning there was a warrant for his arrest. He posted a $75,000 bond and was then turned over to police in East Haven, where there was a warrant for his arrest for allegedly passing bad checks.
He is due in Superior Court in Derby Sept. 21.
A woman answering the line at Sussan’s publicly-listed phone number said Tuesday a reporter had the wrong number.
Complaints have also been lodged against Esparo with the state Department of Consumer Protection.
