Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 74-year-old Frederick DeNormand of Pendleton has been sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to five years of probation.

Between May 26, 2016 and September 20, 2017, the defendant, owner of Classic Fence and Lumber, admitted that he accepted payment from more than 50 clients to install fences on their properties and failed to perform any work.

As part of his plea, the defendant agreed to pay back $138,573 to the victims. To date, the defendant has paid back approximately $25,000. His business is no longer in operation.

DeNormand pleaded guilty to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class “E” felony, in July 2018.

Justice Wojtaszek ordered the defendant to write letters of apology to all of the victims as part of his probation.

DA Flynn commends the New York State Attorney General’s Office Consumer Frauds & Protection Bureau for their assistance in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.