Terri ParkerWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
A South Florida man accused of repeatedly scamming homeowners — posing as a contractor, taking their money, and never completing the work — was sentenced in court this month. But despite his long history of fraud, he won’t serve a day in jail.
For years, Sean Gestrich has faced accusations of conning customers, leaving unfinished renovations and financial devastation in his wake.
“He never finished the job. He never came back out. I had to hire a whole new contracting company to do all that,” said victim Nichole Smolarski.
Another customer, Beth Dixon, called for tougher consequences.
“I think he should be in prison. I think he should be in prison because of the number of people he has done this to over and over.”
This month, after investigating Gestrich for two years, WPBF 25’s Terri Parker finally had the chance to confront him.
WATCH: Investigative reporter Terri Parker confronts Gestrich in court
As Parker chased him down a courthouse hallway, she demanded answers:
“Sean, why do you keep pretending to be a contractor? You’re not licensed—why do you keep pretending to be one?”
Gestrich had no response and went into a restroom, trying to avoid her.
A judge’s warning
Gestrich was in court for grand theft, accused of taking $48,000 from Beth Dixon and leaving her West Palm Beach condo uninhabitable.
“But he had our money — he had most of it, actually,” Dixon said.
Judge Scott Suskauer made it clear he wasn’t impressed with Gestrich’s record.
“This has been a chronic situation, has it not?” he asked in court.
Gestrich was fresh out of jail in Broward County for violating his probation on a previous conviction for working without a license. Police said he had changed his company name, used an alias, and continued taking money from new victims.
Frustrated homeowners took to Facebook to warn others, and civil lawsuits against Gestrich piled up in two counties.
Yet despite his record, Gestrich’s attorney negotiated a plea deal — no jail time and three years probation, ending early once he repaid Dixon her $48,000.
Judge Suskauer pushed back.
“I understand that, but what about the public? Once the money is paid back, the public is still at risk for him to still be on this path — ripping people off,” he said.
Suskauer ultimately refused to shorten probation and warned Gestrich to change his ways.
“When are you done doing this? Is this it for you, or are you going to continue on the same path?” the judge pressed.
“No, this is it, your honor. I’ve already taken steps,” Gestrich claimed.
Will he stop?
Now a convicted felon, Gestrich remains unlicensed, on probation for three years, and victims fear he’ll strike again.
When Parker tried one last time to get answers, Gestrich avoided eye contact, stepping into an elevator without a word.