McClure and Chambers Indicted for $1.5M Homeowner Fraud

New York Attorney General Letitia James has charged John McClure and his wife, Sarah Chambers, with orchestrating a massive contractor fraud scheme in Washington and Warren Counties. The couple is accused of defrauding over a dozen homeowners out of over $1.5 million. McClure, 44, of Granville, New York, and Chambers, 38, are alleged to have taken large deposits for home improvement services but failed to complete the work.

The indictment, which includes 12 counts in Washington County and four additional counts in Warren County, charges the couple with fraudulently obtaining over $1.2 million in home improvement payments and stealing an additional $300,000 from homeowners. The scheme spanned from September 2019 to August 2023.

According to investigators, McClure advertised his services under various business names on websites like Facebook and Google, offering home builds, renovations, excavation, and construction services. He would collect large deposits upfront but never deliver on the promised work, leaving homeowners without their money and in some cases without their homes.

Chambers is accused of participating in the scheme by posing as a reference for McClure and Sons Constructions. The couple’s actions are deemed especially egregious by authorities, as they deliberately targeted hardworking New Yorkers who paid for services that were never rendered.

The charges follow a joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau and the New York State Police. Both agencies are committed to holding those responsible for such scams accountable, ensuring justice is served for the victims.

Attorney General James stated that homeowners deserve better than to be victimized by individuals who exploit their trust for personal gain. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence when hiring contractors and the need for strong enforcement against financial fraud.