Judge plays hardball after 3rd strike on builder.(Capital Region)

Byline: KENNETH C. CROWE II Staff Writer

BALLSTON SPA - A Rensselaer County builder was ordered Monday by Saratoga County Court Judge Jerry J. Scarano to repay $96,380 to a homeowner or face up to seven years in prison, District Attorney James A. Murphy III said.

Charles E. Hotaling of Nassau was sentenced on a charge of third-degree grand larceny for taking money from Tina Boldt to build a log cabin home in Northumberland, Murphy said. Hotaling admitted using the money to finance other construction projects and for his personal use.

"We were able to determine that Mr. Hotaling diverted funds from this project and used them for other purposes," …