SUFFOLK COUNTY---A Poquott contractor and his wife face grand larceny and other charges for allegedly stealing money from homeowners who hired their company, Long Island Custom Builders, for home improvements.

John Crovello, 45, of 70 Chestnut Ave., pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before Suffolk County Judge James Hudson in Riverhead. Crovello is charged with one count of second-degree grand larceny, 12 counts of third degree grand larceny, two counts of grand larceny fourth-degree , two charges of first degree scheme to defraud and one violation of the Suffolk County code: operating without a valid Home improvement contractor's license.

Also arraigned before Judge Hudson was Crovello's wife, Renee Smith, who serves as the president of their firm, Long Island Custom Builders. She is charged with 17 crimes: one charge of grand larceny second degree, a dozen counts of third degree grand larceny, two counts of fourth degree grand larceny, and two charge of first degree scheme to defraud.

District Attorney Thomas Spota said the charges against the company involve Crovello and Smith's acceptance of thousands of dollars from homeowners for which they did little or no work. 4-24-07

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