A state prosecutor on Tuesday argued that Norwich businessman Zane Megos continued a long-standing pattern of taking deposits for apartments not available when he was charged in 2014 for violating his probation.

Megos’ attorney, Kenneth Leary, countered that the Norwich building inspections department “has it in” for his client and intentionally muddied the permit process, causing prospective tenants to demand their money back.

New London Superior Court Judge Omar Williams presided at a three-hour hearing Tuesday for Megos, who faces six violation of probation charges, attempted third-degree larceny, third-degree forgery and criminal impersonation charges.

The charges stem from a November 2014 incident when Megos took a deposit for an apartment that was condemned at the time.

Megos pled guilty April 29, 2014, to reduced misdemeanor larceny charges in six previous incidents of taking deposits for apartments and houses that never became available.

He was serving a suspended sentence and three years of probation when the new charges were filed.

“The state intends to show a common scheme of plan,” state prosecutor Rafael Bustamante said when asking Chief Probation Officer Tamara Lanier to read details of two earlier cases.

Lanier called the cases “nearly identical” to the new case.

Leary objected repeatedly, arguing that Megos pleaded guilty to avoid trial and that he still considered the incidents to be contract disputes rather than criminal matters.

The violation-of-probation hearing will continue on Thursday at 2 p.m. in New London Superior Court, when Megos and business partner Bishop Taylor are expected to testify.

Nicole Foster testified Tuesday that she and her father thought they were dealing with Taylor when they gave three cash deposits totaling $2,925 in the fall of 2014 for an apartment at 467-479 N. Main St., Norwich.

She received receipts signed by Taylor, and said the man she later learned was Megos told her father his name was “Bishop.”

Foster said after Megos claimed city inspections were being delayed, she and her father went to the building department and learned no inspections had been scheduled and the building was condemned.

A department secretary showed her a newspaper story and photo of Megos. She said she and her father called Megos and demanded their money back.

Foster said Megos paid back the full amount.

Leary challenged both the timing of the charges and the building inspections. Leary questioned how it could be a “coincidence” that the probation violation charges were filed just one week before Megos was eligible for a court hearing to reduce the probation period.

Leary accused Norwich building officials of having a bias against Megos, delaying inspections and demanding more repairs. Bustamante said, however, that not all the cases took place in Norwich.

Building Official George Gardner denied those accusations and affirmed that no inspections were scheduled that November at 467-469 N. Main St.

Bobby Brown, who said he works on buildings for Megos and other property owners, said he is treated differently by city inspectors when Megos is involved. He said he has “no problem” with other properties.

But with Megos’ properties, he said, “when I come down here (the inspection office), they always want more stuff.”

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday