After a year-long investigation, Eric Bartolozzi, owner of Serene Pavers and Stonescaping, Inc., was arrested on November 1, 2024, in Cody, Wyoming, in connection with a series of abandoned paving projects in Volusia County. He faces multiple charges, including Money Laundering Exceeding $100,000, Organized Scheme to Defraud exceeding $50,000, and Misapplication of Monies Received by Contractors ranging from $1,000 to less than $100,000.
The investigation revealed that Bartolozzi misappropriated a total of $223,348.91 from 32 different victims over a two-year period. The complaints stemmed from clients who had contracted Bartolozzi for paving work that was never completed, leading to suspicions of fraud.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza commented on the case, emphasizing the dangers consumers face when they trust businesses that may not honor their contracts. “The nature and circumstances of financial crimes are often hidden in what unsuspecting folks believe to be a legitimate business transaction,” Larizza stated. He assured the public that authorities would continue to pursue individuals who defraud those who place their trust in them.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Seventh Circuit State Attorney’s Office and multiple law enforcement agencies in Volusia County, including the New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Edgewater Police Department, Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Daytona Beach Police Department, Town of Ponce Inlet Police Department, and Port Orange Police Department. Bartolozzi’s arrest was facilitated by the Park County Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz has been assigned to prosecute the case.
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