DOB: 10/02/1973

Case Number: 2024 107779 CFDB

New Smyrna Beach Contractor to Pay Back Misappropriated Funds

DAYTONA BEACH – During a hearing on Wednesday, defendant Eric Bartolozzi entered a no contest plea to Misappropriation Construction Funds $1,000 to $100,000 and was sentenced to four years of probation. Special conditions include $223,348.91 in restitution, which is the total amount of funds he misappropriated from the 32 victims who came forward and cooperated with the investigation. Checks have been made out to these victims and are being picked up this week.

Between 2022 and 2024, Serene Pavers and Stonescaping Inc. of New Smyrna Beach abandoned several paving projects in Volusia County.

Bartolozzi, the owner of the company, transferred customer deposits and payments from the business bank account into his personal bank account. Instead of using the funds to purchase materials and complete projects, he used them for personal expenses, including purchasing new pickup trucks for himself and his girlfriend.

“It is rare we are able to get full restitution for all our victims,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “This resolution was the result of great coordination between several law enforcement agencies. I hope the restitution helps our victims move forward.”

The case was investigated by Seventh Circuit State Attorney’s Office Investigators in a joint operation with multiple law enforcement agencies in Volusia County, including the Daytona Beach Police Department,  Edgewater Police Department, New Smyrna Beach Police Department, Ponce Inlet Police Department, Port Orange Police Department, and Volusia Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Helen Schwartz successfully prosecuted the case for the State of Florida. The Honorable Kathryn Weston heard the case and imposed sentence.