Long Island contractor criminally charged after stopping work during renovation job

A home improvement contractor has been criminally charged after he allegedly stopped working on a Stony Brook woman's house, having done only some of a renovation, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

The contractor, 48-year-old Michael Specchio, of East Islip, was charged with grand larceny and being an unlicensed contractor, which was discovered during the police investigation, the department wrote in a news release.

At an arraignment Tuesday, Specchio pleaded not guilty and was freed without bail, according to the state court database. His lawyer, Gregory Grizopoulos, of Mineola, did not immediately return a message seeking comment. 

M3 Development Group Inc. was hired in January by the woman, the release says. Specchio established M3, according to an unrelated federal lawsuit by a worker accusing M3, Specchio and others of violating rights under state and federal wage laws

Interior renovations were partially completed, and exterior work such as masonry and landscaping were never started, according to the police press office. 

The work he failed to do was worth about $43,000 of the $160,000 he was paid, the office said. Her name wasn't disclosd.

Specchio was arrested earlier this week. He couldn't be reached for comment. A message left with the company wasn't immediately returned.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.