LITTLE ROCK -- Attorney General Dustin
McDaniel today filed a consumer protection lawsuit against American
Shingle and Siding, Inc., an Atlanta-based home repair company accused
of defrauding dozens of Arkansas homeowners.
The complaint filed in Pulaski County
Circuit Court against the company and its owners states that American
Shingle sent its sales staff door-to-door to sell roof repairs to
Arkansas homeowners who had suffered storm damage. The company received
payment for the repairs, but then failed to make the repairs and did not
pay refunds. The company has now closed its Little Rock and corporate
offices.
"Arkansas homeowners deserve better
treatment than this," McDaniel said. "This company and its owners have
taken advantage of the misfortune of storm damage victims by victimizing
these Arkansas residents again. We estimate that more than 100 Arkansas
homeowners have turned over insurance proceeds and money out of their
own pockets in exchange for the empty promises of American Shingle. Now
these homeowners have no resources to repair their roofs and provide
shelter for their families."
The suit alleges that American Shingle
intentionally delayed starting on promised roof repairs for up to three
months following payment by the homeowner’s insurance carrier. After
amassing payments from scores, and perhaps hundreds, of Arkansas
homeowners, American Shingle pulled the plug on its operations, leaving
not only disappointed customers, but also unpaid employees and
suppliers.
So far, the Attorney General’s office has
received 55 complaints from Arkansas homeowners who claim they were
bilked by American Shingle. Based on those complaints, it is estimated
that consumers lost between $2,000 and $10,000 each.
Also named in the suit are four
individuals identified as owners of American Shingle. They include
Richard Steffy, Carlton Dunko and Frank M. Pureber III, all of Florida,
and Hank Smith of Georgia.
Arkansans who may have fallen victim to
American Shingle are encouraged to contact the Public Protection
Department of the Attorney General’s Office at (501) 682-2341 or (800)
482-8982.
