Rotterdam construction owner admits stealing $1.5M from bank, contractors

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (WNYT)- Schenectady County prosecutors said a former Rotterdam construction company owner admitted stealing money in a fraud case tied to banks and subcontractors.

Paul Hodorowski pleaded guilty May 13 to First-Degree Grand Larceny in Schenectady County Court, according to Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney.

Under the plea agreement, Hodorowski is expected to get one to three years in state prison if he pays more than $738,000 in restitution to a Glens Falls-based bank and hundreds of thousands more to subcontractors.

The district attorney’s office said the investigation began in March 2024 after Berkshire Bank contacted prosecutors and the New York State Police Financial Crimes Unit about a suspected check-kiting scheme.

According to a release from the district attorney’s office, forensic auditors reviewed accounts across three financial institutions and found losses of more than $1.5 million at one bank before another bank returned more than $750,000, reducing the victim bank’s loss to more than $738,000.

“Our ability to recover restitution in this case rests on the willingness of relatives to help him who have no legal obligation to do so. So this plea agreement fashioned by Financial Crimes Bureau Chief William Lemon maximizes our ability to make victims whole while punishing Mr. Hodorowski for his thievery,” Carney said.

The release said prosecutors also concluded Hodorowski defrauded subcontractors by not paying for labor and materials on Hodorowski Homes projects after homeowners had already paid for completed work.

Prosecutors said he instead used company money for personal and business expenses, including a boat, luxury vehicles and travel to Florida where he owned a million-dollar condo.

Rotterdam construction owner admits stealing $1.5M from bank, contractors

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