A Brooklyn contractor is facing grand larceny charges after allegedly swindling a Park Slope couple out of approximately $318,000. The funds were intended for the renovation of their brownstone but were reportedly diverted to the contractor's extravagant expenses, including a Porsche purchase, according to a recent indictment. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the charges.
Hayk Safaryan, a 43-year-old contractor from Williamsburg, was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun, facing a second-degree grand larceny charge. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Safaryan was released without the bail and is due back in court on April 2. The couple initially contracted with Safaryan in December 2021 for major renovations, which included a clear itemized list of the intended work on their property.
Yet, the indictment details a troubling narrative where Safaryan, after receiving a hefty deposit from the couple, proceeded to allegedly spend the majority of these funds on personal luxuries, as detailed by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office. These include a $28,000 down payment for a 2018 Porsche Macan S.U.V., as well as lavish spending sprees at high-end hotels and designer stores. District Attorney Gonzalez pulled no punches when he said, "This defendant allegedly lined his own pockets by taking advantage of a Brooklyn family who put their trust in him."
It is alleged that Safaryan's splurging was widespread, covering expenses such as $17,750 on back rent for his own apartment and indulging in thousands on clothes from brands like Prada and Alexander McQueen. The contractor's license expired early in February 2023 and was not renewed. The investigation into Safaryan's practices began after the Park Slope couple reported their ordeal to the District Attorney’s Action Center.
The case, as reported by the District Attorney's Office, is in the hands of Senior Assistant District Attorney Daniel R. Tibbets for prosecution, under the various tiers of supervision of the Fraud and Investigation Divisions. Safaryan's arraignment marks a significant step in the legal proceedings, and the unfolding case will be a point of focus for those keeping a keen eye on fraud in the home renovation industry.
