Contractor Ripped Off 3 Delaware Co. Homeowners: DA

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — An area contractor is accused of committing more than $500,000 in home improvement fraud in the Philadelphia suburbs, including three times in Delaware County, authorities said Thursday.

Shawn Timothy Nicola, formerly known as Shawn Gerety, is charged with felony counts of theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and several counts of deceptive business practices.

Nicola is the owner and operator of BuildTREND LLC. The Bucks County District Attorney said he is accused of ripping off nine victims, including two in Bucks County, three in Delaware County, two in Montgomery County, and two in Chester County.

Nicole has a court hearing on Aug. 7 before Magisterial District Judge Jean Seaman. The case is being prosecuted by Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Alan J. Garabedian.

Anyone with information on Nicola or believe they may have been a victim should contact Bucks County Detective Eric Landamia at elandamia@buckscounty.org or Bucks County Detective Tim Campbell at tcampbell@buckscounty.org.