Naples Man Indicted in Alleged $1.26 M Hurricane-Repair Scam

A Naples resident has been officially indicted on charges accusing him of orchestrating a hurricane-repair fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded homeowners of approximately $1.26 million. The case, opened by federal prosecutors, marks a serious warning for contractors and homeowners alike in storm-recovery markets.

The Allegations

According to court documents, the defendant — identified as a Naples-area contractor — is accused of soliciting payments from storm-damaged homeowners for repairs, then failing to complete the work or misrepresenting the work that was done. The alleged victims are primarily in Collier County, in the post-hurricane recovery period. Investigators say the funds were either diverted or the scope of work was significantly overstated.
The indictment states that the billing for the repairs reached about $1.26 million, and yet many homeowners say the quality of work was substandard or not delivered at all.

Why This Is Significant Locally

• Homeowner vulnerability: In the wake of hurricanes, demand for repair contractors spikes. Unscrupulous operators may take advantage of urgent needs, which heightens risk for local property owners.

• Contractor scrutiny: This case may prompt increased regulatory attention on licensing and oversight of storm-repair firms in Collier County, affecting the broader home-improvement sector.

• Real-estate implications: For homeowners looking to resell or refinance, unpermitted or incomplete repairs can create hidden liabilities — meaning what appears as “storm-ready” may hide unresolved issues.

• Reputation matter: Naples and Collier County’s real-estate and contractor reputations benefit from timely enforcement of fraud cases like this, reinforcing trust in the local market.

What Homeowners Should Do Right Now

• Verify contractor licenses and check local registration with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).

• Insist on detailed, written contracts specifying scope, timeline, materials and payment schedule tied to performance milestones.

• Confirm that permits are pulled and inspections completed—especially after storms when urgency may tempt shortcuts.

• Consider escrow or staged payments rather than full upfront payment.

• Document everything: photos before/during/after work, receipts, change-orders and correspondence.

What’s To Come

The federal case will proceed through indictment, arraignment and possible trial unless a plea deal is reached. Meanwhile, Collier County authorities and homeowners’ associations are likely to monitor the fallout and share guidance on securing reliable contractors.
For local vendors, this may spur voluntary best-practice programs or increased training on ethical storm-repair contracting.