A Staten Island contractor stiffened the owner during the installation of the pool, authorities say; a lawyer blames the pandemic

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STATEN ISLAND, NY A Midland Beach construction business owner is in hot water with the law on a swimming pool.

Saleem Asghar took the money for a swimming pool installation job at a Staten Island home, then left his clients over $ 3,000 in embarrassment, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the matter said.

Asghar, 29, of Block 900 of Olympia Boulevard, was charged with two counts of robbery on Thursday.

A criminal complaint said the incident occurred between August 20 and December 1. She did not cite the precise location of Staten Island.

The source said Asghar took cash upfront to install a residential swimming pool but failed to complete the work.

The case is still under investigation.

Officials believe there are other casualties, the source said. They encourage anyone who thinks they have been a victim to contact the authorities.

Asghar was arraigned on Friday in criminal court for third and fourth degree robbery.

He remains at large under surveillance pending his next court date on October 8.

This is a civil case, defense attorney Michael Harding said. My client is an entrepreneur, and he’s facing delays due to the pandemic, and the labor shortage has been well publicized across the country. Pool manufacturers cannot produce pool liners and other necessary equipment, so there are construction delays.

If the DA starts suing every contractor who has a construction delay, he can start with the contractors I’ve hired, Harding said. Such delays are not uncommon, and the city encounters them all the time.

And after? Harding asked. Will they sue restaurant owners for running out of pickles for burgers?

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