Complaint Review: Stephen Colucci

Stephen Colucci, a piece of work only rivaled by his "works of art".  Despicable excuse for a human being willing to go to ANY length to steal a few hundred dollars from people looking to enjoy a nice weekend at a beach house rental.  The following is an accurate account of what occured the weekend of Sept 21st - 24th 2012.  This incident will not be limited to exposure on the internet.  Legal remedies will be taken, both civil and criminal.



Mr. Colucci is the owner of a beach house at 806 Dune Rd Westhampton Beach NY 11978.  Mr. Colucci lists his property for rent on various websites.  Mr. Colucci leases his property by day, week, and month.  Mr. Colucci engages in a fraudulent scheme, well thought out and developed over time to RIP OFF unsuspecting renters.  The following testimonial is a thorough description of this SCAM.



Stephen Colucci agree in principle for a price to rent out his property.  In this case $1,500 for a three day, two night stay.  Mr. Colucci sends an unsigned lease agreement by email.  The lease explains that the rent is to be paid in CASH and a security deposit of $500 is also owed in CASH.  Under the terms of the lease Mr. Colucci has 45 days to return the deposit, after a three day rental.  45 days!  Mr. Colucci will not budge on this particular point.  The scam has begun...



After entering the property the renters encounter Mr. Colucci who is now informing them that he emailed another lease agreement which raises the price of said rental to $2,000 in lieu of the agreed $1,500.  Threats to call the police are made to kick the renters out if the additional $500 is not paid immediately and Mr. Colucci proceeds to throw himself into a foaming at the mouth tirade about his vast wealth and assets, that $2,000 or $500 is nothing to a man of such great means yet he is shaking with anger over his insistence that he is rightfully owed additional funds.



Mr. Colucci remains on the property berating the renters, using their nationality, professions, and race in discriminatory fashion all the while making threats for immediate eviction until finally relenting and taking the $1500 payment as originally intended.  At this point, the group of renters in unnerved, in total shock, and regretting ever engaging in business with this madman.   One of the renters does a quick Google search on Mr. Colucci, perhaps there is history of this madness or atleast a result indicating a stay in a mental health facility that could explain the past hour?  However the only worthwhile result from the search is an article in the NY POST about Mr. Colucci's involvement in a Medicare FRAUD scheme and allusions to tax evasion.  A link to the article follows...



http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/medicaid_con_artist_lapped_mK3FLAm7NSwgqPFXnbIe8M





At the conclusion of his tirade, Mr. Colucci demands the security deposit in CASH.  Renter's insist on writing him a check in his name with "security deposit" in the memo line. He refuses, runs away and vows to be back the next day to collect his security deposit in cash or he will be back with the police.   Needless to say the group of renters is in shock and cannot enjoy a weekend away.



Saturday September 22nd, Stephen Colucci returns demanding the $500.  A check is already waiting for him written out to his name, with security deposit in the memo line, dated for the same day.  Mr. Colucci explodes and says he will only take a check written out to CASH.  He is foaming at the mouth again and having a psychotic episode in the driveway of the property, he manages to hurl every insult he can while again berating the occupants based on their race, sex, and occupation.  In fact, Mr. Colucci indicates that had he known two of the occupants were attorneys he would have never rented out the property to them. 



At this juncture, the group of renters just want this psychotic excuse for a human being off the premises and write him a check made out to CASH, in the memo is written "security deposit" and the dates of rental.  Mr. Colucci signs a promissary note indicating that the $500 is a deposit for any damages incurred and will be returned in CASH on the next day September 23rd, 2012.  He hurls a few more insults, then drives off.  Within 20 minutes of receiving the check he is at a Chase Branch and has CASHED it, not deposited, CASHED.  Mr. Colucci has carefully worked out his scam and executes it like clockwork.



Sunday the 23 arrives and so does Mr. Colucci, with his wife for protection.  Upon entering the property Mr. Colucci agrees that no damage has been done and the renters have taken care of the property as it were their own.  Mr. Colucci then proceeds to hand back $100.  When asked what happened to the other $400 he simply states that it is the cost of utilities.  Utilities?  $400?  Three days?  Mr. Colucci has taken it upon himself to rob ten innocent young people of not only $400, but of thier time, of their leisure, of their faith in humankind.  This thief used all means at his disposal to first attempt to extort another $500 by sending a last minute amended lease which no one saw or agreed to, then misappropriating funds from a security deposit.  Stealing it. 



Breakdown of scheme...

Last minute change to lease

Threats of immediate eviction after already receiving payment

Discrimination

Intimidation

Insistence on ONLY CASH

Refusal to take check written out in HIS NAME

Check cashing in lieu of deposit

Bogus utility charges

Theft of security deposit



Stephen Colucci has committed fraud, avoids paying taxes on rental income, discriminates openly against people wishing to rent from him and is going to pay a hefty price for his actions.  Avoid this man and his properties at all cost.  You have been warned.