Colorado Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Scamming Military Veteran

Authorities say Nicholas Fontinelli took large payments upfront but never completed promised construction projects

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:52am

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An extreme close-up of a crumpled, torn paper receipt or invoice, the harsh flash illuminating the textured surface and edges in stark contrast against the dark background, conceptually representing the financial harm caused by a home repair fraud scheme.A scam victim's discarded receipt highlights the financial exploitation of vulnerable consumers by unscrupulous home repair contractors.Kansas City Today

A Colorado man named Nicholas Fontinelli has been sentenced to 4 years in prison for scamming a military veteran and other Missourians. Fontinelli, the owner of "Squared Up Structures", promised to complete home construction projects in exchange for large upfront payments, but he never followed through on his promises.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of military veterans and other consumers to home repair scams, where unscrupulous contractors take money but fail to deliver on their commitments. Missouri's Attorney General is vowing to continue cracking down on fraud and protecting residents from exploitation.

The details

According to the Missouri Attorney General's office, Fontinelli targeted several Missourians, including a disabled military veteran, by promising to complete home construction projects in exchange for large upfront payments. However, Fontinelli never actually finished the work he was paid to do.

  • Fontinelli was sentenced to 4 years in prison on April 11, 2026.

The players

Nicholas Fontinelli

The owner of "Squared Up Structures" construction company who scammed Missouri residents, including a disabled military veteran, by taking large upfront payments but failing to complete the promised home projects.

Missouri Attorney General Hanaway

The state's top law enforcement official who announced the 4-year prison sentence for Fontinelli and vowed to continue fighting fraud and protecting vulnerable consumers in Missouri.

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What they’re saying

“Preying on a disabled veteran is as cowardly as it is criminal. These actions are appalling, and we won't stand for it.”

— Attorney General Hanaway, Missouri Attorney General

What’s next

Attorney General Hanaway urged any other Missouri residents who believe they have been scammed to contact the state's Consumer Protection Section to file a complaint.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of thorough vetting when hiring home contractors, especially for vulnerable populations like military veterans, and the ongoing efforts by Missouri's Attorney General to crack down on fraud and protect consumers.