Couple Speaks Out After Scamming Contractor Sentenced To 6 Months In Jail: Report

FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY — A Franklin Square couple was scammed out of $20,000– and the man who did it received just six months in jail, according to a report from News 12.

News 12 said the victims are disappointed Clifford Whitaker did not receive a longer sentence.

"He needs to be in prison," the victim told News 12. "Because if he is loose, he is going to scam other people."

According to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, Whitaker was the president of New Dawn Construction and attempted to scam the couple out of $129,000 in March for roof repairs.

“This defendant allegedly took advantage of a trusting elderly couple, telling them their roof needed repairs and continuing to visit their home, piling on additional construction, and increasing the price of the work more than 5000 percent over the course of five days,” said DA Anne Donnelly.

On March 8, Whitaker solicited the couple at their home, claiming the couple's roof needed repairs. He quoted the couple about $2,500.

Whitaker and another individual allegedly returned to the couple's home multiple times, claiming there was additional damage and repairs to be made, eventually bringing the total to $129,000.

The couple received a fraudulent insurance document via email, allegedly approving the construction work, but an investigation determined that a legitimate insurance claim was never filed by Whitaker.

Whitaker was arrested on April 2, and pleaded not guilty. He was recently sentenced to six months in jail, according to News 12.

Click here to read the full story at News 12.