Pine Bush Contractor Convicted of Stealing $120,000 From Clients

WARWICK, N.Y.—Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Nov. 13 that a housing contractor was convicted by a jury of stealing a total of $120,000 after walking out on multiple clients and refusing to reimburse their investments.

Kevin Hackett, 35, from the village of Wurtsboro in Sullivan County, is facing up to 14 years in prison on charges of grand larceny in the third degree and scheming to defraud in the first degree. He’s set to be sentenced on Jan. 5, 2026. He will remain in the county jail without bail.

Hackett owned Pine Bush-based company Operation Green Construction, which operated as a remodeling and additions contractor. The charges are based on his actions regarding three properties in the town of Warwick after he agreed to work on them.

Hackett was contracted and paid more than $38,000 in May of 2023 to work on a home. After beginning the demolition process, he demanded another $20,000 to continue. After receiving that money, he demanded even more. He stopped working on the project and refused to return the money.

In July 2023, Hackett entered into a contract with the same people to work on a second house. He was paid more than $39,000 but wanted more from the owners. After receiving another $24,000, he did not do the work and did not reimburse the victims.

In September of the same year, Hackett entered into a contract for a third property in Warwick. After being paid $27,900 to start the project, he cut off communications and disappeared.

Hoovler said in a press statement: “Unscrupulous contractors are every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Being defrauded of the funds to build or renovate your home has far-reaching and often life-changing consequences for victims.”

The district attorney thanked the New York State Police and the Orange County Joint White Collar Crimes Task Force for investigating and prosecuting Hackett.

“These cases are incredibly difficult to investigate and prove,” he said. “I applaud the work of the police and prosecutors assigned to this case who ensured that this defendant would not escape responsibility for his crimes. It is this very coordination and cooperation that drives an otherwise elusive successful outcome in cases like this one.”

The Orange County White Collar Crimes Task Force was introduced in 2023 as a means to crack down on nonviolent monetary crimes. The task force was created through collaboration among the district attorney’s office, Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta, and local police districts.

Details from Hackett’s Facebook account show that he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2008 to 2015 with the rank of sergeant and has a wife and two sons.