The conman who skipped his sentencing in February told the judge on Monday he would accept his original prison term of 4 & 2/3 to 14 years behind bars.

Chad Nichols, 48, had admitted to taking more than $84,000 from a homeowner for work that he never completed.

Nichols did not show up for his sentencing in February, and he was on the run before being caught in April. In that time, Nichols also allegedly scammed two more victims in Saratoga County.

Nichols was arraigned Friday on a charge of bail jumping. On Friday. Judge Thomas Marcelle gave Nichols the option to decide if he wanted to accept the original sentence in the larceny case, or have it voided and be resentenced. Nichols had the weekend to think it over.

Marcelle reiterated that question on Monday.

“Do you wish the court to vacate your sentence?” he asked.

“I accept the sentencing,” Nichols said.  

Marcelle said he will maintain the sentence of 4 2/3 to 14 years and remand him to prison.

“I was and am concerned about your conduct between the plea and your ultimate sentencing date today. I’m not considering that,” Marcelle said.

Marcelle added that he hoped that the parole board would take the bail jumping into consideration.

“I called you a con man at your sentencing, Mr. Nichols, and I believe that. And I think what I am concerned about is the potential of you using your skills of manipulation to do that to the parole board, which I hope doesn’t happen,” he said.

Nichols now has a set sentence. There is also an order for restitution, and final orders of protection for the victim and her children.

Korinne Van Patten hired Nichols to renovate part of her home. Nichols agreed to renovate two bathrooms, a kitchen and a deck but racked up $84K in payments and credit card charges instead. It wiped out Van Patten’s entire savings and retirement.

After court, Albany County Assistant District Attorney Bill Andrews said he is pleased for the family.

“While she is not getting her money back and her house is still in shambles because of him, at least she has protection,” he said. “There are permanent orders of protection in place, there’s an order of restitution that’s out there. He’s been held accountable, he’s been sentenced, so everybody now knows that he is what he is and who he is. I think that’s beneficial. and there’s closure today on this part of the case, which is great.”

Nichols is also facing a bail jumping charge. Prosecutors have offered a plea deal of 1 ½ to 3 years in prison. The time will run consecutively to the other sentence.

Nichols will be back in court in two weeks for an accept or reject hearing.