New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has obtained a consent order and judgment that bars a snow-removal service operator from requiring pre-payment from customers for service.
Thomas Zackoski is accused of taking thousands of dollars from consumers in five counties for seasonal snow-removal services that he failed to provide in the 2014-2015 winter season, Schneiderman’s office said in a news release issued Tuesday.
In addition to Schneiderman’s civil prosecution, district attorneys in Onondaga, Tompkins, Monroe, Oneida and Oswego counties criminally prosecuted Zackoski.
In the criminal case, an Onondaga County judge sentenced Zackoski to six months in jail and five months probation in July, according to a report on the website for NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV).
Schneiderman’s consent order and judgment prohibits Zackoski from owning or operating any business in New York that requires receipt of advance payments from consumers.
The court order also requires that he pay victims restitution and pay the state $4,000 in civil penalties and costs.
Zackoski has paid restitution to a number of victims in connection with the criminal cases. Schneiderman’s civil prosecution has also generated full refunds for 19 additional consumers, his office said.
Background
Zackoski purported to do business under various names, including Zackoski’s Snow Removal Services; SR & LM Specialists; Cortland Lawn & Landscaping; Z’s Snow Removal Services; Z’s Plowing Services; Plowscapes; and Ryder Plowscapes, according to Schneiderman’s office.
Most consumers contacted Zackoski after reading his postings on Craigslist, the attorney general said. Consumers made arrangements via email to personally meet him and sign a seasonal contract.
Zackoski’s contracts “appeared to be very thorough,” the office added.
He claimed to have had 12 snowplows and trucks and four additional trucks with snowblowers and he promised to provide snow-removal services up to three times a day, if necessary.
At least 51 consumers pre-paid Zackoski amounts ranging from $150 to $400 for snow-removal services that he did not provide.
Schneiderman’s office filed a lawsuit against Zackoski after “numerous” consumers filed complaints indicating nobody came to plow their driveways.
Consumers said Zackoski provided phony excuses, via text and email, explaining why he was unable to plow, according to Schneiderman’s office.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
PHOTO CREDIT: The Facebook page of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department