Two sentenced in $340,000 East Bay contracting scheme

Defendants claimed to work for a fictitious San Francisco company and targeted elderly victims

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Two defendants, John McNamara and Dean Morgan, were sentenced to three years and eight months in state prison for a roofing and construction scheme that stole over $340,000 from four elderly victims in Marin County, California. The defendants claimed to work for a fictitious San Francisco company and persuaded the victims, aged 78 to 85, to enter into contracts with excessive down payment deposits, only to disappear after doing little to no work.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing problem of contractor fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable elderly residents, and the need for stronger consumer protections and oversight in the home improvement industry. It also raises concerns about the ability of out-of-state and international defendants to perpetrate such schemes across multiple jurisdictions.

The details

McNamara, 49, of Livermore, and Morgan, 34, of Limerick, Ireland, pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and grand theft. In addition to the Marin County case, their sentence includes convictions for fraud cases in Sacramento County and Colorado. The defendants claimed to work for a fictitious San Francisco company and persuaded the elderly victims to pay 'excessively large' down payment deposits, only to disappear after doing little to no work on the promised roofing and construction projects.

  • On February 20, 2026, the Marin County District Attorney's Office announced the sentencing of the two defendants.

The players

John McNamara

A 49-year-old resident of Livermore, California who was sentenced to three years and eight months in state prison for his role in the contracting scheme.

Dean Morgan

A 34-year-old resident of Limerick, Ireland who was sentenced to three years and eight months in state prison for his role in the contracting scheme.

Robin Brennan

The defense attorney for Dean Morgan.

Marin County District Attorney's Office

The prosecuting agency that announced the sentencing of the two defendants.

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What they’re saying

“We must hold accountable those who prey on vulnerable members of our community.”

— Marin County District Attorney

What’s next

The judge will determine if the defendants will be allowed to serve their sentences concurrently or consecutively.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for stronger consumer protections and oversight in the home improvement industry, particularly when it comes to protecting elderly residents from contractor fraud schemes that can have devastating financial consequences.