(IRONTON, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today the indictment of the owners of All Seasons of Kentucky Inc. for stealing more than $139,000 from 35 victims in a storm-chasing roofing scam in Lawrence County, Ohio.
“A criminal charge won’t fix the holes that were left in consumers' roofs,” Attorney General DeWine said. “But we won't sit back and let predatory contractors swoop in from out of state to prey on Ohioans who have had their homes and lives wrecked by a storm.”
The indictment alleges that starting in September 2012, Leo Patrick Richard Jr. and his company All Seasons of Kentucky Inc. swept through Lawrence County and accepted insurance funds from the victims for new roofs before leaving town in September 2013. The indictment also alleges that Carol Richard shared in the proceeds of the company. To this day, All Seasons of Kentucky Inc. has not provided refunds to the victims or started any of the roofing repair work.
The Richards were charged in the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, theft, theft from the elderly, money laundering, and receiving stolen property. If convicted, the Richards each face a maximum sentence in excess of 40 years in prison.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit, a division of the Consumer Protection Section, received extensive assistance in the investigation from the Ironton Police Department.
“Our office relies on the assistance of our local law enforcement partners to put scammers behind bars,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We appreciate their willingness to work with our office to make Ohio a safer place for all consumers.”
Attorney General DeWine created the Economic Crimes Unit in March 2011 to identify criminal conduct in consumer fraud cases and to assist Ohio’s prosecuting attorneys in holding scammers criminally accountable. To date, 81 people have been charged with felonies as a result of investigations out of the Unit.
Consumers whose homes have been damaged in a storm should beware of traveling contractors who offer to repair their homes. Before making any payments, consumers should research a contractor by checking complaints on file with the Ohio
Attorney General's Office and the Better Business Bureau, and by conducting a basic Internet search of the business.
Consumers who believe they have been treated unfairly should contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
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Media Contacts
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