Contractor convicted for bilking homeowners out of more than $50,000

ALBANY, N.Y. » New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen announced the conviction of Dwight Fiero, a/k/a David Fiero, 44, for his role in a contractor fraud scheme perpetrated against homeowners across the Capital Region.

Fiero pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud in Albany County Court before the Hon. Andra Ackerman. Fiero’s conviction resolves a 10-count indictment unsealed earlier this year, charging him with pocketing more than $50,000 in deposit monies from numerous homeowners meant for home improvement projects, all while he was awaiting sentencing on a conviction for another case.

“Dwight Fiero shamelessly cheated New York homeowners and undermined our nation’s integrity to line his own pockets,” James stated.

“Let this serve as a loud and clear message that there is no place for fraud in our state and bad actors will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. My office remains committed to delivering justice, and we will continue to use everything in our toolbox to protect the homes and wellbeing of all New Yorkers,” James explained.

“Our joint investigation revealed that this contractor misrepresented himself as a combat veteran in order to cheat homeowners out of their hard-earned money,” Bruen remarked.

“We will continue to partner with the Office of the Attorney General to hold those who attempt to defraud homeowners accountable for their actions,” Bruen added.

This conviction is the result of a joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and the New York State Police (NYSP) Financial Crimes Unit. The investigation began in the fall of 2020 after numerous homeowners filed complaints with the NYSP and the OAG’s Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau.

In June of this year, Fiero was charged by an Albany County grand jury with stealing more than $50,000 from numerous Capital Region homeowners, between April 24, 2020, and Nov. 22, 2020, while he was released and awaiting sentencing on an unrelated case.

According to prosecutors, Fiero advertised himself as a military combat veteran on Facebook Marketplace who could build and install backyard decks. Fiero advertised his services under the businesses War Cry Contracting, Veterans Contracting, and Battle-Scarred Contracting. Fiero then lured unsuspect