04/18/2026
Thank you to the Stuart Police Department for protecting our community and holding individuals accountable.
Unfortunately, situations like this happen more often than they should.
Take a few extra minutes to verify your contractor’s license and insurance through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and SunBiz.org before signing anything! It can save you a lot of stress down the road.
In April of 2025, victims entered into a contract with John Pedatella, who claimed to be a licensed contractor. The kitchen renovation began in May 2025; however, by September 2025, the project remained incomplete. At that time, the victims had paid Pedatella $11,000, and the work was never finished.
The victims reported the incident to the Stuart Police Department in February 2026. Detectives reviewed the contract, communications between both parties, and state licensing records as part of their investigation.
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, with assistance from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division, John Pedatella was arrested and charged with engaging in contracting without being duly registered or certified.
We would like to remind our community: before hiring a contractor, always verify that they are properly licensed and insured.
You can check contractor licensing through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at: https://www.myfloridalicense.com
