Roofing Fraud Cases Bring Lawsuits, Arrests in 3 States

Ohio, North Carolina and Connecticut authorities target alleged contractor misconduct

By Tanja Kern, Senior Strategic Content Editor

Roofing contractors and employees are facing new legal scrutiny in three states, with authorities pursuing cases involving more than $200,000 in alleged consumer losses, accusations of intentionally damaging a roof to generate an insurance claim, and an alleged workers' compensation fraud scheme.

The latest enforcement actions span Ohio, North Carolina, and Connecticut and involve allegations ranging from unfinished and defective roofing work to unreported employees on active roof replacement projects. Here is a look at the cases.

Ohio AG Sues Two Roofing Contractors Over $200K in Alleged Consumer Losses

Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has sued two home-improvement contractors accused of costing 14 consumers more than $200,000 through unfinished projects, defective roofing work and other alleged violations.

The separate lawsuits target Journey Home Restoration in Lorain County and The Metal Roof Company in central Ohio. Both were filed Oct. 14 and allege violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.

The state's lawsuit against Journey Home Restoration and owner Jason Kaczur alleges nine customers paid a combined $140,000 for roofing, siding and gutter projects that were not completed.

Journey Home Restoration and Kaczur have maintained a public presence in northeastern Ohio, including appearances on local television programs promoting the company's home-improvement work and community involvement, according to the attorney general's office.

A separate lawsuit against The Metal Roof Company and owner Danile Toland alleges the contractor performed substandard or defective roofing work for some customers and failed to respond when problems were reported. In one case, the company allegedly accepted payment for a new roof but never began the project. Five consumers have reported combined losses exceeding $60,000 involving the central Ohio metal roofing contractor, according to the attorney general.

Because the business appears to remain in operation, Wilson s office is encouraging other consumers who experienced similar problems to come forward.

"When Ohioans pay for contractors to repair their homes, they trust those contractors to follow through," Wilson said in announcing the lawsuits. "Not doing the work is not acceptable."

The lawsuits seek financial relief for affected consumers and other remedies under Ohio consumer-protection law.

North Carolina Roofing Employee Arrested in Alleged Insurance Fraud Scheme

A North Carolina roofing employee faces three felony charges after state investigators accused him of intentionally damaging a homeowner's roof and claiming the damage was weather-related to obtain insurance proceeds and a commission.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of Cameron Alexander Hammond, 34, of Vanceboro, on Oct. 12. Hammond is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, and damage to residential property.

Special agents with the North Carolina Department of Insurance's Criminal Investigations Division allege Hammond was working for Carolina Trophy Roofs when he intentionally damaged shingles at a residence in Washington, N.C., on Aug. 18. Investigators allege Hammond subsequently made false statements to North Carolina Farm Bureau and the North Carolina Joint Underwriters Association, claiming the roof had sustained weather-related damage. Authorities say the alleged scheme was intended to secure insurance proceeds for a roof replacement and generate a commission for Hammond.

Hammond was released on a $5,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Beaufort County District Court on Dec. 17.

Causey said his department has increased its fraud-enforcement efforts, noting that property and casualty insurance fraud contributes to higher insurance costs for consumers. The charges are allegations, and Hammond is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Connecticut Roofing Contractor Charged With Workers’ Comp Fraud

The owner of a Connecticut roofing company has been charged with workers' compensation insurance fraud after investigators allegedly found multiple employees working on roof replacement projects who had not been reported to the company's insurance carrier.

Luis Pomaquiza, 42, of Southington, owner of Middletown-based LA Roofing LLC, was arrested Oct. 15 and charged with defrauding a workers' compensation insurance carrier, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.

Inspectors with the Workers' Compensation Fraud Control Unit conducted roof replacement site visits in Southington as part of a coordinated operation with the Connecticut Department of Labor s Wage & Workplace Standards Division. Investigators determined LA Roofing had multiple employees working at the sites who allegedly were not being reported to the company's workers' compensation insurance carrier.

Pomaquiza was processed on an arrest warrant and released on a $10,000 non-surety bond. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 20 in Middletown Superior Court. The charge is an accusation, and Pomaquiza is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Tanja Kern covers economic trends and the intersection of architecture, design, and construction for Roofing Contractor, with an emphasis on the forces reshaping the industry. She develops and amplifies content that connects roofing professionals with the intelligence they need to compete and grow.

With more than 20 years of experience, Tanja has written for national business, consumer and trade publications. She holds a Master of Science in magazine publishing from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.