A New Smyrna Beach contractor was arrested for misappropriating more than $200,000.
Following a year-long investigation, an arrest was made in reference to several paving projects in Volusia County that Serene Pavers and Stonescaping, Inc. of New Smyrna Beach abandoned.
Defendant Eric Bartolozzi is facing charges of Money Laundering Exceeding $100,000, Organized Scheme to Defraud $50,000 or more and Monies Received by Contractors Misapplied $1,000 or more but less than $100,000. This month, he was picked up in Cody, Wyoming on a Volusia County warrant.
The defendant, owner of Serene Pavers and Stonescaping Inc., misappropriated a total of $223,348.91 in deposited funds from 32 different victims over two years.
“The nature and circumstances of financial crimes/fraud are often hidden in what unsuspecting folks believe to be a legitimate business transaction,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said following Bartolozzi’s arrest. “That is the danger consumers face when they trust someone like the defendant to honor the deal/contract they agreed to. We will continue to root out and prosecute individuals who choose to swindle those who trusted them.”
The case was investigated by Seventh Circuit State Attorney’s Office investigators in a joint operation with multiple law enforcement agencies in Volusia County including New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Edgewater Police Department, Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, Ponce Intent Police Department and Port Orange Police Department. Bartolozzi was arrested with assistance from the Park County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz is the prosecutor assigned to the case.
