DA: Former Wantagh Man Pleads Guilty to Scamming Homeowners

A former Wantagh resident pleaded guilty and will repay money he stole from them in a repair scam, according to the Nassau County District Attorney's office.

Charles Ganzenmuller, 38, pleaded guilty Wednesday to first-degree scheming to defraud and operating a home improvement business without a license before Judge Scott Fairgrave, said the DA.

As part of his plea, Ganzenmuller was ordered to make a full restitution of $15,200 to his victims by Oct. 10, when he will be sentenced to a conditional discharge, said the DA.

“The vast majority of home improvement contractors do their work diligently and honestly every day, but this defendant failed to deliver on his promises to his customers,” said DA Kathleen Rice. “Working in partnership with the Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs, we will continue our efforts to protect homeowners from fraud and uphold the reputation of hardworking home improvement professionals.” 

Ganzenmuller is accused of making home improvement contracts with several homeowners, taking money for the repairs, and failing to complete any projects. The scam operated under companies called "Assured Air Conditioning" and "Alliance Air Conditioning," said the DA.

Between January and May of 2012, he went into contract with multiple victims while doing no work for the clients or providing materials, officials said. He also operated without a home improvement license during the scam, they said. He eventually moved to a company in Pennsylvania where he now lives.