Contractor Convicted for Defrauding Warwick Homeowners, Faces Prison

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that a jury on November 13, 2025 convicted Kevin Hackett, owner of Operation Green Construction, of multiple fraud charges related to home repair contracts in the Town of Warwick. The verdict follows allegations that Hackett took advance payments from multiple property owners, performed little or no work, and then ceased contact while refusing to return funds.

Prosecutors say the misconduct began in May 2023 when Hackett entered a contract to perform work at a Warwick home and received more than $38,000 to begin the job. After commencing demolition, he demanded an additional $20,000, accepted that payment, then stopped working and made further demands before refusing to return to the property or reimburse the victims. In July 2023 a second contract with the same homeowners led to payments in excess of $39,000, followed by an additional $24,000, after which Hackett performed no further work and did not refund the payments. In September 2023 a third victim contracted Hackett’s services and paid $27,900, but no work was completed and communication ceased. In total the charges allege losses in excess of $120,000 across the three schemes.

Following the jury verdict Hackett was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2026, and faces a prison term of 4 2/3 to 14 years under the convictions announced by the District Attorney’s Office. The case underscores the criminal consequences of alleged contractor fraud prosecuted at the county level.

For Orange County residents, the case highlights vulnerabilities homeowners face when hiring contractors and the limits of informal agreements that rely on trust rather than verified credentials. The financial and emotional toll on the victims in Warwick is substantial, and the community impact includes increased caution among residents seeking home repairs and renovations.

The prosecution also raises questions about regulation and oversight of small contracting businesses, and about how consumer protection, licensing, and local enforcement mechanisms can be strengthened to prevent similar schemes. Residents seeking to protect themselves should confirm contractor credentials and consider using escrow arrangements and written contracts that specify work timelines and remedies. The District Attorney’s Office handled the criminal case, and prospective complainants can contact local consumer protection resources to report suspected contractor fraud.