PROVIDENCE -- Seventeen contractors are facing charges for performing subpar work or in some cases taking thousands of dollars and not doing any work at all, according to Attorney General Peter Neronha’s office.

Neronha on Tuesday announced the felony charges and 10 other misdemeanor charges for contractors failing to comply with final orders from the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. Two more contractors reached agreements with the board as a result of this effort, according to Neronha’s office.

"These are hardworking Rhode Islanders who paid a lot of money for contractors to make improvements to their homes and were left high and dry," Neronha said in a statement. "The defendants were given multiple opportunities to resolve their situations. Some took advantage of that opportunity. Others didn’t. Those who didn’t will now be held accountable, and this Office will pursue restitution to the homeowners and any fines owed."

All contractors in the state are required to register with the licensing board, which is an arm of the state Department of Business Regulation. Upon receiving a complaint, the board determines if the contractor is licensed and if his or her work was performed up to industry standards.

Final orders are entered after the board is unable to reach a resolution between the contractor and the person who filed the complaint, but failure to comply can be prosecuted as a felony monetary judgment and fines imposed exceed $5,000 under the final order. Cases involving less than $5,000 qualify as misdemeanors.

Those charged Monday with felony violations include Paul Arruda, of Paul Arruda Corporation. Authorities allege that he failed to pay a subcontractor, despite being paid himself in full by the homeowner. The homeowner has a lien on his home as a result, according to Neronha’s office. Arruda is charged with failing to comply with a final order of the board, repeat offender.

Kevin Chaisty, of KSC Construction, also faces a felony violation for failing to comply with a board order. Prosecutors say a homeowner contracted with KSC to remove and replace siding, paying Chaisty $8,000 for work that he did not start on time. He never returned the deposit, despite his assurances that he would, prosecutors said.

Chaisty said that he has a payment plan that he missed a payment on due to a lack of work and expenses to care for his family. He paid off $2,000 and has $6,000 to go.

"I fully intend to pay it back," he said.

Felony warrants have been issued for the following contractors for failing to comply with a board order over $5,000, meaning they face up to $10,000 in fines and 10 years in prison, or both, if convicted:

Anthony Arena, of Northwest Construction and Maintenance, who was contacted by a homeowner to do basement work. Authorities say he cashed more than $10,000 in checks for work he never performed.

Robert Darling, of Saintz Construction Co., who prosecutors say was paid nearly $30,000 for work he did not complete or perform up to industry standards.

Rodolfo Hernandez, of Statewide Construction Company, who authorities accuse of failing to complete any of the contracted work, leaving the homeowner with $40,000 in damages and ultimately homeless.

Jose Jimenez, of J&J Landscaping, who prosecutors say entered into a contract to replace an existing driveway, but his work didn’t meet industry standards and he failed to complete the project.

Richard Wilson, of Custom Quality Home Services, who authorities say contracted with a homeowner to construct an exterior fence that he took $15,000 for and failed to undertake.

Eight contractors were arraigned last week on misdemeanor charges of failing to comply with a final order of less than $5,000:

Nicholas Chamberlain, of CAS Drywall; Ana Paulino Contreras, of Paulino Construction; John Cronin, of Cronin Construction; Joshua Cruz, of Eden Improvements; Joshua Gomes, of Building Concepts; Derek Penta, of Capital Home Improvements; Jose Reis, of J Reis Painting; and Luis Rodrigues, of Lincoln Construction, according to Neronha.

Court records show that the contractors pleaded not guilty to the charges. They face up to $1,000, in fines and a year behind bars, or both, if convicted.

Two contractors were arrested Monday on bench warrants for failing to appear in court last week on the misdemeanor violations. They were identified as Zachary Brown, of ZD Brown Construction, and Joseph Grilo, of A Touch of Class.

Richard Bourque, Jr., of Richard Bourque Enterprises, is set to be arraigned Wednesday, with a remaining warrant out for James Porter, of J. Porter Concrete & Stone, prosecutors said.

The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Meghan McDonough and investigator John Rabbitt after being referred to the attorney general’s office by the Department of Business Regulation.

Correction: The charge Chaisty faces was incorrect in a previous version of this article due to an error in the court record.

kmulvane@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7417

On Twitter: @kmulvane