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Contractor Misused Pasco Customer's Money, Officials Say

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By LISA A. DAVIS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2009

Joseph Dinan

NEW PORT RICHEY - A 49-year-old contractor is accused of misusing a customer's construction funds.

Joseph T. Dinan Jr., of 319 Dartmouth Ave., Spring Hill, turned himself at the Land O' Lakes Jail on Tuesday on a warrant charge of misappropriation of construction funds. He was released a few hours later after posting $15,000 bail.

A year ago, Linda Wood of New Port Richey contacted sheriff's detectives to complain that Dinan, owner of Southern Palms Custom Homes and Construction Company Inc., had defrauded her.

Wood signed a contract with the company in March 2007, according to a sheriff's office report, and subcontractors did preliminary site work.

But the work ended in August 2007 after Wood had paid Dinan $41,150, the report states.

Wood contacted Dinan several times by e-mail. In one reply, Dinan wrote, "I can give you legitimate, believable reasons why I needed to use the funds I had set aside for your project," a report states.

Dinan's business was dissolved in September 2007, according to state records.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.

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