Unregistered Contractor Pleads Guilty in Dispute With Brick Homeowner

A contractor who illegally negotiated a contract with a Brick homeowner recovering from damage linked to Superstorm Sandy has pleaded guilty and agreed to pay restitution after the Ocean County consumer affairs office took him to court.

Randy Chmara, doing business as Randy Chmara HVAC in Stafford Township, was charged with failure to register as a home improvement contractor with the state, and numerous contract violations after negotiating a contract with a Brick Township home owner whose home was damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

Chmara pled guilty to the charges and was fined $1,000 for being an unregistered contractor and $3,500 for the contract violations plus court costs.

Chmara was one of several contractors recently investigated by the county agency, according to Stephen Scaturro, the consumer affairs office director.

Robert Faucher, doing business as Faucher and Son Tree Experts, was charged with failure to register as a home improvement contractor with the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs and failure to provide a contract to a Point Pleasant homeowner.

Faucher, the agency said in a statement this week, volunteered to participate in a mediation conference with Scaturro where it was agreed that he pay $5,000 in restitution to the consumer and register as a home improvement contractor.

Michael Ferrara, doing business as Mikes Handyman Service, New Egypt, was charged with numerous contract violations after negotiating a contract with a Wrightstown homeowner who claimed a refund for work not done, the statement said. Ferrara pled guilty and was fined $2,500 and $385 in restitution plus court costs.

Finally, Gregory Sims, doing business as G&S Heating & Cooling, of the Bayville section of Berkeley Township, was charged with failure to register as a home improvement contractor with the state and contract violations after negotiating a contract with an Oakhurst homeowner, according to Scaturro.

Sims failed to appear in court for the second time and a bench warrant for his arrest was issued by Berkeley Township Municipal Court Judge James Gluck.

Failing to register as a home improvement contractor in New Jersey is a fourth degree indictable crime punishable by up to $7,500 in fines and 18 months in jail.

“Since Superstorm Sandy hit the shore in October 2012 we have seen an influx of home improvement contractors come into the County, many of whom are not registered with the state,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, chairman of Consumer Affairs, in a statement.

Vicari said the county's consumer affairs office would be stepping up enforcement. A team of investigators led by Consumer Affairs Department Deputy Director Ed McBride and Weights and Measures Division Deputy Superintendent Barry Wieck were responsible for the most recent charges.

Ocean County residents can contact the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs by calling 732-929-2105 or by visiting the department on the web at www.co.ocean.nj.us.