Three More Charged in La. AG’s Crackdown on Contractor Fraud

Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., recently announced that three more individuals have been arrested on charges of theft related to contractor fraud.

On Oct. 23, 2006, Richard Eric Williford was arrested by Arkansas authorities as a fugitive from Louisiana on charges of Felony Theft by Fraud related to contractor fraud in the amount of $14,600.00. According to Attorney General Special Agents, Williford, a contractor with Rock-N-Extreme in Kenner, La., allegedly entered into a contractor with a resident in Jefferson Parish to provide materials and perform construction repairs to their residence. However, Special Agents allege that upon receiving two checks totaling $14,600.00 Williford and his crew did very little work and eventually abandoned the site with the work to the residence not completed.

On Oct. 24, 2006, Attorney General Special Agents arrested Kevin D. White, 620 Eucalyptus Street, Port Allen, La., for Felony Theft in Excess of $500.00. Attorney General Special Agents allege that White entered into a verbal agreement with the victim to enclose a patio. The victim allegedly gave White three payments totaling $2,500.00 to perform the work. Attorney General Special Agents allege that a very small portion of the work was actually done before White allegedly abandoned the project. White was booked into West Baton Rouge Parish jail as a fugitive from East Baton Rouge Parish.

On Oct. 31, 2006, Attorney General Special Agents arrested Sam Hahn of Dunrite Construction Company in St. Geneva, Mo.,for Felony Theft by Fraud related to contractor fraud in the amount of $7,715.00. According to Attorney General Special Agents, the victim paid Hahn $7,715.00 for materials to have a new metal roof installed on their residence which was damaged during Hurricane Rita. Hahn allegedly cashed the check from the victims and never returned to the residence with the materials or install the new roof. Hahn was booked into the Plaquemines Parish Correctional Center.

If convicted on the above charges of Felony Theft by Fraud, the suspects face a possible sentence of imprisonment, with or without hard labor for not more than ten years, or may be fined not more than $3,000.00, or both.

“My office will continue to go after those individuals who allegedly promise to repair homes and never follow through on that promise,” General Foti said. “Of course, although the above individuals have been arrested they should be considered innocent until proven guilty,” General Foti added.

If you suspect you have been the victim of contractor fraud, please contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 351-4889.

Source: Louisiana AG’s Office