Roofer Rip-Offs Redux

ROOFER RIP-OFFS REDUX

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Daniel Kemp
Deputy Communications Director
502-696-5659 (office)

A roofer who had a history of running off with client money, instead of doing the roofing work, finally got caught by the Kentucky Attorney General in late March (2014).

Out pops a Press Release from the Attorney General trumpeting the guilty plea, a day or two after settling the case.

But the guilty plea left over 60 more cases against the same roofer sitting unresolved in two states B and the roofer still on the streets.  Bring out the trumpets.

It is a picture postcard of a recurring nightmare for consumers and home inspectors alike.  Anyone can call themselves a roofer.  Worse, Kentucky=s storms are magnets for fly-by-night Aroofers@ with taillight warranties (good as long as you can see their taillights).  Home inspectors cannot help feeling that recommending a roofer is like recommending a stroll through a lions den.

Read the whole story – Get the AG=s Consumer Advice

http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/ag/twaddleplea.htm

The roofer, James Twaddle, 41, president of Restore-IT USA, pled guilty to one count of theft by deception, a class D felony, in Bullitt Circuit Court on March 18.  For that, he ddrew a two-year suspended sentence if he repays $7,390 to the victims by June 30.

James Twaddle KY

Before that, Twaddle had been indicted on 26 other counts of theft by deception in Jefferson, Larue, Scott, and Grayson counties. Many of these cases are still pending and involve victims who were solicited following storm events.  Twaddle has also been indicted in Ohio on 42 counts of theft and insurance fraud related to the same scheme in the Columbus area.

Twaddle was the president of Restore‑IT USA, a roofing company located in Columbus, Ohio. Twaddle operated his business in Kentucky from an office located on Forest Green Blvd in Louisville.  From May 2012 until Aug. 2012, Restore‑IT USA employees would visit neighborhoods and sign residents up for roof repairs, collecting payments prior to any work being completed.  Twaddle allegedly deposited the money into a company bank account and transferred the funds to his personal account; however, the roof repairs were never performed.

The AG had a half dozen tips for consumers.

Home inspectors could post these on their web sites, or hand them out, to help avoid nightmares like this:

×         Never pay in advance for labor. Scam artists often take advance payments from consumers and never return to complete the work. If an advance is needed to purchase materials, offer to purchase the materials yourself.

×         Use local, reputable contractors for repairs, if possible. If local contractors bring in out‑of‑town workers, ask who will be responsible for their work if it is not satisfactory.

×         Ask if the contractor is licensed, bonded (if required by the city or county), and insured.

×         Check unknown companies out with the Better Business Bureau or call the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection to see if information is available about the company.

×         Demand a written contract. If possible, get estimates from several contractors.

×         Be suspicious of unfamiliar, out‑of‑state vehicles and those who offer repair work at unreasonably low prices. Contact local law enforcement about your suspicions.

×         For additional information or to file a consumer protection complaint online, visit www.ag.ky.gov.

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