WATERTOWN, NY — New York State Police arrested a Copenhagen man on Jan. 13, 2026, on grand larceny and lien law violation charges.
Ronald V. Herzig, 51, faces charges of grand larceny in the second degree, a class C felony, and lien law violation, a class D felony.
Herzig was arraigned in Jefferson County CAP Court and released on pretrial pending further court proceedings.
State Police received a report of possible fraud on Staplin Road in the town of Rutland on Aug. 22.
A preliminary investigation revealed that in April, a victim established multiple construction contracts with Herzig to be completed.
The victim provided Herzig with $164,900 for the projects.
Investigators determined that while a portion of the work was completed, significant portions of the contracted projects were never started.
The victim made multiple attempts to contact Herzig to complete the work or issue a refund, but Herzig ceased communication.
Further investigation revealed that the funds were not maintained in a separate business account as required under New York State Lien Law and were allegedly used for personal expenditures unrelated to the contracted projects.
