A South Florida man long accused of posing as a contractor in Broward and Palm Beach counties has been sentenced again after violating probation.Sean Gestrich will not go to prison, but he will remain in jail until he reaches one year behind bars under a newly settled plea deal.Terri Parker has reported on Gestrich for years as dozens of victims came forward alleging they paid him for work that was never completed.In 2025, Gestrich pleaded guilty to grand theft in Palm Beach County after taking $47,000 from a Jupiter couple for work prosecutors said he never performed and was not licensed to do.At the time, Judge Scott Suskauer sharply warned Gestrich to stop or risk prison.But just weeks later, Gestrich was arrested again in Broward County, accused of posing as a licensed contractor in another case involving a separate couple.That new arrest landed him back in jail and put him once again before Suskauer for violating probation.During the recent court hearing, the judge said, “I’m here to do justice and also to do what the victim wants.”Although the probation violation could have sent Gestrich to prison for years, the Jupiter victim told the court she would be satisfied if she got her $47,000 back.Suskauer then approved a resolution requiring Gestrich to repay the victim in full, serve one year in county jail with credit for time already served, and return to probation afterward.Gestrich has already spent about 10 months in jail, meaning he could be released in the next month or two.Terri Parker spoke with Gestrich’s attorney, who said the defense accepted the plea deal because of the time Gestrich has already served.The attorney also said Gestrich has already repaid the Jupiter victim.But the case is still not over.Gestrich still faces outstanding criminal charges in Broward County.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
A South Florida man long accused of posing as a contractor in Broward and Palm Beach counties has been sentenced again after violating probation.
Sean Gestrich will not go to prison, but he will remain in jail until he reaches one year behind bars under a newly settled plea deal.
Terri Parker has reported on Gestrich for years as dozens of victims came forward alleging they paid him for work that was never completed.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office
Sean Gestrich
In 2025, Gestrich pleaded guilty to grand theft in Palm Beach County after taking $47,000 from a Jupiter couple for work prosecutors said he never performed and was not licensed to do.
At the time, Judge Scott Suskauer sharply warned Gestrich to stop or risk prison.
But just weeks later, Gestrich was arrested again in Broward County, accused of posing as a licensed contractor in another case involving a separate couple.
That new arrest landed him back in jail and put him once again before Suskauer for violating probation.
During the recent court hearing, the judge said, “I’m here to do justice and also to do what the victim wants.”
Although the probation violation could have sent Gestrich to prison for years, the Jupiter victim told the court she would be satisfied if she got her $47,000 back.
Suskauer then approved a resolution requiring Gestrich to repay the victim in full, serve one year in county jail with credit for time already served, and return to probation afterward.
Gestrich has already spent about 10 months in jail, meaning he could be released in the next month or two.
Terri Parker spoke with Gestrich’s attorney, who said the defense accepted the plea deal because of the time Gestrich has already served.
The attorney also said Gestrich has already repaid the Jupiter victim.
But the case is still not over.
Gestrich still faces outstanding criminal charges in Broward County.