Contractor from Oklahoma Accused of Stealing $38,000 from Keansburg Homeowners in Superstorm Sandy Fraud Case

A suspended contractor from Oklahoma has been charged with stealing more than $38,000 from the owners of a Keansburg residence damaged by Superstorm Sandy after he allegedly failed to complete a lifting project, despite twice negotiating contracts.

A Monmouth County grand jury delivered a two-count indictment Monday, charging Raymond H. DeSylva, 57, of Rosehill, Oklahoma with one count of third degree Theft by Deception and one count of fourth degree Failure to Register as a Home Improvement Contractor with the State of New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

The charges are the result of an investigation of DeSylva by the Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force, which included members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the state’s Division of Consumer Affairs.

The investigation revealed that DeSylva, who was conducting business in New Jersey as “Eco Earth Friendly Builders”, negotiated a $44,556 contract in March 2013 with the owners of a Keansburg residence to lift their Roosevelt Avenue home. According to courthouse documents, the contract provided for three installment payments connected to the work agreed upon in the contract. The first payment of $14,852 was due and paid when the contract was signed, and two subsequent payments of $14,852 were scheduled “due when the house is lifted” and “upon completion of the project.”

On July 13, 2013, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs issued an Order of Summary Suspension for DeSylva and his Eco Earth Friendly Builders. Despite the suspension, DeSylva is alleged to have failed to inform the Roosevelt Avenue homeowners he was no longer authorized to engage in the making or selling of home improvements in the state of New Jersey, and while suspended entered into a second contract with the homeowners to raise their home higher than initially contemplated in the original contract.

The second contract provided for two payments of $24,026 in addition to the money paid as part of the first contract. On August 19, 2013, the Roosevelt Avenue homeowners remitted a check payable to Eco Earth Friendly Builders in the amount of $24,026, bringing the total sum given to DeSylva and Eco Earth Friendly Builders to $38,878.

On September 18, 2013, DeSylva was permanently barred by the state Division of Consumer Affairs from engaging in business as a home improvement contractor, and relinquished his registration.

Courthouse records state that DeSylva is alleged to have failed to elevate the Roosevelt Avenue home as agreed upon, and failed to return the money given to him by the homeowners.

An arrest warrant was issued for DeSylva’s arrest, and he was subsequently taken into custody in May by authorities in Grady County, Oklahoma, where he waived extradition and was returned to New Jersey.

DeSylva is currently free on $20,000 bail, as set by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Ronald Lee Reisner.

If convicted of Theft by Deception, DeSylva faces a sentence of three to five years in state prison.

If convicted of Failure to Register as a Home Improvement Contractor with the State of New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, he faces up to 18 months in state prison.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.