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Fraud charge dismissed for Plum contractor accused of not completing project | TribLIVE.com
Allegheny

Fraud charge dismissed for Plum contractor accused of not completing project

Renatta Signorini
Renatta Signorini
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A home improvement fraud charge against a Plum contractor was dismissed Friday by a Westmoreland County judge.

Michael Cerniglia, 55, had been accused by Greensburg police this year of taking a down payment through his business, Michael’s Painting, but failing to start a $1,250 project on Grove Street. Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered that $450 in restitution be released to a woman who reported the alleged situation to police.

Cerniglia’s attorney said in court filings the project could not be completed because of cold weather combined with an urgent family matter. Cerniglia reimbursed the woman $800 after the contract was canceled and offered to deliver the $450 worth of paint he had purchased for the project, according to court filings.

In a related civil matter, Cerniglia was ordered to pay plaintiff Michelle Moreno $2,462, according to court records. Cerniglia’s lawyer said in court papers the matter was more appropriate for civil court rather than criminal charges.

Renatta Signorini is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Renatta at 724-837-5374, rsig[email protected] or via Twitter .

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