PHILADELPHIA (March 21, 2022) — District Attorney Larry Krasner and the DAO’s Economic Crimes Unit today announced the arrest and charging of Juan Rodriguez (DOB 11/3/1981), a general contractor, for defrauding 11 individuals—five of them 60 or older—out of a total of more than $400,000 since 2015. Rodriguez’s scheme involved collecting down payments — and even full payments — from his victims for work that ranged from porch installations to bathroom renovations and demolition jobs through his construction companies, DSV Construction Services LLC and J&C Contracting. In some instances, he absconded with money given to him to purchase construction and other types of supplies. In other instances, the defendant performed shoddy work to give the appearance that a project was completed, when in reality it was not. In all instances, this work was never completed.Rodriguez, who turned himself in to authorities on Friday, March 18, is charged with 13 counts of Home Improvement Fraud (F2); and 11 counts each of Theft by Unlawful Taking (F2); Theft by Deception (F2); Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds (F2); Receiving Stolen Property (F2); Deceptive Business Practices (F3); Misapplication of Entrusted Property (M2); and Securing Execution of Documents by Deception (M2).
In one particularly egregious example, Rodriguez was paid nearly $130,000 in early August 2018 to rebuild a woman’s home after a fire ripped through the structure and claimed her elderly mother’s life. The defendant began work immediately, but by August 2019, he essentially stopped all work on the property. The victim fired Rodriguez and demanded her money back, but was never refunded. This crime and others committed by Rodriguez were covered by local broadcast news last year. When confronted by a news reporter, Rodriguez falsely claimed that disagreements with his clients over work change orders were to blame for unfinished projects. In reality, victims stated to law enforcement that Rodriguez simply stopped communicating and stopped showing up after only a portion of the work was completed, a pattern of behavior consistent in every instance alleged. “We’re grateful to Economic Crimes Unit Supervisor Kimberly Esack, Assistant District Attorney Anthony Gil, ECU DA Detective Bryan Jackson, and Matthew Raudenbush of the Philadelphia Police Department, who worked diligently to bring this man to justice,” said DA Krasner. “Individuals who are engaged in fraud, whether involving general contracting work or stealing homes through deed theft, should take note that law enforcement will hold you accountable.”
“This defendant shamelessly, and repeatedly, defrauded these victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Esack. “But today, we are one step closer to holding Mr. Rodriguez accountable. Philly Police and the DA’s Office strongly encourage individuals who suspect that an individual or group is committing fraud to contact us so that we can investigate. Contact our Economic Crimes Unit by calling 215-686-9902 or [email protected].A preliminary hearing for Rodriguez is scheduled for Friday, March 25, 2022.
CONTACT:Dustin Slaughter, 215-686-8713, [email protected]
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The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is the largest prosecutor’s office in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the nation. It serves the more than 1.5 million residents of the City and County of Philadelphia, employing 600 lawyers, detectives, and support staff. The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for the prosecution of approximately 40,000 criminal cases annually.