A Randolph man, Nicholas Espinosa, entered a guilty plea today in a Boston federal court, for charges related to various fraudulent schemes involving sober homes in the Greater Boston area, the Mass Save energy conservation program, and mortgage fraud. Espinosa, 38, is facing multiple counts including wire fraud conspiracy, false statements to a mortgage lending business, and money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Arrested in March 2023 with alleged co-conspirator Daniel Cleggett, Espinosa was involved in overcharging a family trust for room and board up to $12,500 per month, issuing fraudulent invoices, and then issuing "refund" checks to a client as part of the tactic to advance their scheme, as stated in the press release. These allegations involve Cleggett's sober home business, A Vision From God LLC, which operated under various names including Brady’s Place and Lakeshore Retreat. In connection, Espinosa misrepresented the intent to purchase a property, which was intended to used as a sober home, not his primary residence. Meanwhile, Cleggett's numerous insulation contracting companies wrongfully billed Massachusetts’ Mass Save Program for permits never obtained.
Espinosa faces wire fraud and conspiracy charges that could result in a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while making false statements to a mortgage lending business could lead to an even longer sentence of up to 30 years. The money laundering charges could add an additional 10 years. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young has scheduled the sentencing for March 11, 2025, according to court documents. The case involved contributions from the Kingston, Randolph, and Quincy Police Departments, along with federal agencies.
The progression of this case highlights the extensive fraudulent activity that extends from private family trusts to state-sponsored energy conservation programs. Espinosa and Cleggett are alleged to have persisted in their deceitful actions even after Cleggett's ban from the Mass Save Program, creating a new vendor company under a straw owner to illicitly obtain over half a million dollars, as outlined by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
While Mr. Espinosa has pleaded guilty, it is important to note that the remaining defendant, Daniel Cleggett, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution of this case is being managed by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Dustin Chao from the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit.
