The Daily Freeman is reporting a man from Plattsburgh has been accused of posing as a contractor and defrauding homeowners in the Hudson Valley of more than $10,000 in down payments for work never performed, according to the state police. Lionel L. Rushford Jr., 46, of Plattsburgh, was arrested July 30, and charged with the felonies of grand larceny and scheme to defraud. He allegedly took money from property owners for home improvement work, but subsequently ended communication and never showed up to do the work. A warrant for his arrest was issued by Cairo Town Court last month. Rushford was arraigned on the charges in Catskill Town Court and sent to Ulster County Jail without bail. State police are asking that anyone who thinks they were defrauded by Rushford to call them at (518) 622-8600 and reference SJS number 10250533. Read more in the Daily Freeman.