—Contractor accused of stealing millions from Mass Save program
A South Shore contractor is accused of stealing $7.7 million from Mass Save by filing false heat pump rebate claims, according to a lawsuit.
Contractor accused of stealing millions from Mass Save program
A South Shore contractor is accused of stealing $7.7 million from Mass Save by filing false heat pump rebate claims, according to a lawsuit.
A lawsuit filed this week accuses a South Shore contractor of stealing more than $7 million from the state’s Mass Save program.
Mass Save offers incentives and rebates for homeowners and businesses to switch to more energy-efficient options for heating and cooling and is paid for by a surcharge on electric and gas bills.
The lawsuit, brought by the utility companies behind the program, claims Mark Dyszczyk submitted numerous applications for Mass Save heat pump rebates through MWD Heating and Air Conditioning in Rockland.
But, the suit alleges, he never installed the pumps. Or, in some cases, said he installed heat pumps that qualified for those rebates but used different equipment instead.
The fraud, according to the lawsuit, added up to $7.7 million.
Right now, the Mass Save program is funded at $1.5 billion per year -- a price tag that's currently at the center of debate on Beacon Hill as energy bills skyrocket. The Mass Save charge can add $80 to a $500 winter gas bill.
The utility companies, which include National Grid, Eversource and Cape Light Compact JPE, say the fraud undermines trust in the already embattled Mass Save program, saying in a statement:
"Rebates and incentives are a critical part of Mass Save programs. Customers fund these programs through their energy bills, and those investments come back to them through incentives, lower energy use, and long-term savings. We have zero tolerance for bad actors who exploit these programs, and will take decisive action to hold them accountable, protect customers, and preserve the integrity of Mass Save programs. The defendants’ conduct, which primarily involved commercial projects, undermines public trust in these vital programs and unfairly casts a shadow over the thousands of ethical, skilled contractors who deliver high-quality services to customers across Massachusetts every day. After identifying concerns in April, the Sponsors cancelled pending payments, halted review of additional applications, and subsequently suspended the contractor from future participation in Mass Save programs while the matter was investigated. Given the pending litigation, the Sponsors will have no further comment at this time."
Berkshire Gas Company, which is also a sponsor of the program, did not take part in the lawsuit.
We reached out to Dyszczyk but have not heard back.
