Contractor Accused of Scamming Hurricane Survivors After Hurricane Milton

Contractor Arrested for Hurricane Survivor Fraud

• 🚨 A Bradenton contractor, identified as Brian Mashad, has been arrested and accused of defrauding over a dozen senior citizens.
• 💸 Investigators allege Mashad collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from hurricane survivors after Hurricane Milton, promising repairs that were never completed.

Victim Accounts of Unfinished Work

• 🏠 Mary Lou Aredo, a victim, described how Mashad's company was supposed to fix her carport and roof, but only the roof was addressed, leaving the carport incomplete.
• 💔 Diane and Joe Beerish, along with Sandy Bailey, reported paying Mashad a significant amount of money ($16,000 and $20,000 respectively) for work that was never started.
• 🤥 Victims stated that Mashad claimed to represent Red Fin Construction and another company, providing credentials that they later found to be misleading.

Investigation and Financial Impact

• 🔍 Bradenton police initiated a fraud investigation in July after multiple victims came forward.
• 💰 Police Chief Josh Kramer estimates that approximately $222,000 was swindled from victims, who ranged in age from 62 to 95.
• ⚖️ Mashad is currently held in Manatee County Jail with no bond, and police believe there may be additional victims.
• 📞 Authorities are urging anyone who may have been a victim of Mashad or his company to contact the Bradenton Police Department.