James Malone (Hampton Pix)
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A power-crazed Hamptons politician locked a young contractor in his Southampton office and subjected him to a bizarre rant after bilking him out of thousands of dollars for work done on his Hampton Bays home, the angry businessman told The Post.
The contractor, Anthony Prosano, 23, says he managed to audio-record the incident, in which the small-time politician is allegedly heard abusing the little authority he does have.
“You are f–king playing in a pool you don’t belong in!” seethes James Malone, the Southampton town councilman and deputy Suffolk County clerk, after allegedly locking Prosano in his office.
After Prosano tells Malone that he can’t lawfully detain him there, Malone allegedly claims that his political post gives him that right.
“No, I can!” Malone allegedly bellows on the tape. “Yes, I can! I’m deputy county clerk! I’m holding you!”
The odd chain of events began in November, when Malone hired Prosano to work on the interior of a home he planned to renovate on Anderson Street in Hampton Bays.
He contracted out the job for roughly $50,000. But once about $10,000 of the work was done, Prosano said, the councilman didn’t hold up his end of the deal.
“I’m a young guy in this business,” Prosano said. “This was my first big job, and I really trusted this guy. But he basically wanted me to do the job so he could get it for free. He figured I couldn’t do anything about it.”
Prosano, who said he has filed a lien and a police report against Malone, said that the councilman suddenly threw him off the job shortly after Thanksgiving, locked away his tools and ignored all requests for payment.
“I had already done about $10,000 worth of work,” Prosano said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”
Malone finally told Prosano that he was unhappy with the quality of the job — which involved insulation and Sheetrock work — and that he wasn’t going to pay him.
The fed-up contractor opted to confront Malone in his office on Dec. 15.
Prosano said the infuriated politician suddenly locked his office door shut and stood in front of it while he called police.
Unbeknownst to Malone, Prosano recorded portions of their conversation on his cellphone — and that’s when he caught the councilman in a rant.
Prosano said that the unexpected shortfall ruined Christmas for his girlfriend and their young daughter.
“I’m a nobody, and this guy just took advantage of me,” he said. “He thought there was nothing I could do.”
Prosano filed a mechanic’s lien against Malone on Dec. 15 and is asking for $7,971.52 in damages.
“I just want to get paid for the work I did,” Prosano said. “That’s all.”
Malone did not return calls or e-mails for comment.