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Chad Nichols, 47, was sentenced to between four and 14 years in prison despite not showing up to Albany County Court on Thursday, Feb. 13, according to the DA’s office. Judge Thomas Marcelle issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
It came after Nichols pleaded guilty to grand larceny and criminal impersonation for defrauding a Guilderland homeowner, wiping out her life savings.
Nichols was hired by the victim in the spring of 2023 to complete several home improvement projects. Among them was renovating two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a deck, according to prosecutors.
After beginning demo work, Nichols never completed the work, despite bilking the homeowner out of more than $84,000 in payments and credit card charges, investigators said.
“As the projects stalled, Nichols ramped up efforts to manipulate the homeowner into giving him more cash, citing rising costs or construction materials for the delay,” the Albany County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
In one instance, the homeowner gave Nichols her credit card info so he could buy materials, but he used the credit card to buy a $10,000 ring at a jewelry store instead, according to prosecutors.
When the homeowner confronted Nichols about the lack of work completed, he repeatedly threatened the woman.
“This is a case where a man pawned himself off as a reputable contractor, earned the trust of someone, and then used that trust to manipulate and steal,” said Albany County DA Lee Kindlon. “And then, when he had his day in court to answer to his victim and the community, he shows his true character and absconds. It’s cruel and despicable.”
Judge Marcelle also chided Nichols, saying he manipulated a single mother and her children and ruined their lives.
“He is a thief with no conscience,” Marcelle said. He preyed on them for his own personal gratification.”
Marcelle ordered Nichols to pay restitution of $84,000 to the victim.
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