ITHACA, N.Y. — An Ithaca man is facing felony fraud charges after police say he schemed an electric company out of more than $2,000 worth of equipment.
Douglas Griffen, 53, was taken into custody this week and charged with felonies for first-degree scheme to defraud and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.
Ithaca City Court records show that he conned the Fingerlakes Electric Supply Company out of $2,178. 68 worth of construction materials over the course of several transactions in August.
The records state that while Griffen was subcontracted by Avalon Homes to install a septic system on Comfort Road, he fraudulently told the electric company that he was authorized to make purchases on behalf of Avalon Homes.
He primarily stole copper reeling from Aug. 7 to 11, the records state.
Griffen was allegedly caught when the president of the electric company contacted Avalon Homes about the suspicious purchases.
Griffen was taken into custody this week on a warrant request.