Springs contractor cashed $24G check mailed to him in error, DA says

A Springs man has been indicted on a charge of grand larceny after Suffolk authorities said he cashed a check for more than $24,000, even though he knew a former client mistakenly sent it to him.

Suffolk County prosecutors said that on Dec. 27, Jefferson Eames deposited a check for $24,200 written by Leisure Tech LLC of East Hampton, a general contractor that last worked with Eames eight years ago.

“Because he had not worked with Leisure Tech in eight years, Eames knew he was not entitled to it and he has refused to return the money sent to him in error,” Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said in a news release.

Eames was arrested March 23 by East Hampton Town detectives.

It was unclear if he had retained an attorney.

He was scheduled to be arraigned on a charge of third-degree grand larceny Wednesday in First District Court in Central Islip. The offense is a class D felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison.

Prosecutors said that, in an unrelated case, Eames also faces charges of fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child, three counts of violating the county’s social host law and one count of resisting arrest because, authorities said, he allowed underage drinking at his home last month.