One day after Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota announced the arrests of 159 illegal home improvement contractors, he highlighted how they caught the alleged worst of the worst.

Spota said 48-year-old Doug Cass, who has also gone by Drew Cass and Dan Russo, has scammed more than 1,000 people during the past 20 years.

"[Cass] is the most notorious violator in the history of Suffolk consumer affairs," he said.

In an undercover sting operation, Spota said video cameras recorded Cass deliberately taking 45 minutes to "solve" the simple problem of a dishwasher's blocked water flow. A real repairman would've noticed the problem in a second, the district attorney said.

Cass has changed the name of his appliance repair company, which is currently located on Middle Country Road in Centereach, seven times. An individual at Cass' Centereach home yelled through a closed door when asked for a comment.

Suffolk Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Charles Garner warned homeowners to beware of contractors like Cass who ask for money before completing the job. "If someone wants money up front, ask for customer referrals," he said.

To watch the entire press conference with Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota on the arrested contractor, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

Related Information:DAsting nails 219 alleged illegal contractorsNassau County Office of Consumer AffairsSuffolkCounty Department of Consumer AffairsNewYork State Consumer Protection Board