Paul Sanderson, of Bohemia, charged in Green Acres Mall storefront renovation scheme, police say

A Bohemia man has been arrested and charged after Suffolk County police said he claimed to be the owner of a construction company and took money from a client but never delivered the promised construction materials or any of the contracted work.

Paul Sanderson, 40, presented the alleged victim with forged insurance documents while saying he was the owner of a company with which he had no legitimate affiliation, police said.

The alleged victim, an Amityville woman whom police did not identify, told investigators she paid Sanderson $16,500 to renovate a storefront at Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream.

When the work did not begin, she allegedly contacted the construction firm Sanderson claimed to own, only to learn, police said in a statement Monday, he "was not affiliated with the business." Police did not name the company. The woman reported the incident to police on June 16.

Sanderson was arrested and charged with third-degree grand larceny and first-degree identity theft. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance Monday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Sanderson's defense attorney, Jason Russo, told Newsday late Tuesday that the case was "an absolute misunderstanding."

Russo said: "At no time did he represent that he was part of a company that he wasn't a part of. There were some other players here that basically got him caught up in the activity that he was arrested for. I think we're going to be able to resolve this quickly and favorably for Mr. Sanderson."

Police ask anyone who believes they might be a victim to call Financial Crimes Unit detectives at 631-852-6821.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a Newsday reporter since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press, Society of the Silurians and National Headliner Awards for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing. He is the author of “Swee'pea,” about New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. His debut crime novel, “For Nothing Is Hidden,” rooted in 1950s Long Island, was released in October 2025.