Missouri residents who found themselves short-changed by a roofing business have won a victory for consumers through the efforts of Attorney General Catherine Hanaway. In a Greene County roofing fraud case, Hanaway secured a $60,000 restitution judgment against Xcel Roofing of Kansas City, LLC, doing business as LoveOurRoof, and its owner, James Patrick Harding. The restitution, aimed to make amends to consumers who were defrauded, sends a potent message about the consequences of deceptive home repair practices.
The consent judgment, entered by the Greene County Circuit Court on October 31, arrives at a time when home repair scams are notoriously common and particularly disturbing. Providing detailed on the situation, Attorney General Hanaway said, "This judgment sends a clear message that dishonest contractors who exploit Missourians will face serious legal consequences," as reported by the Attorney General's Office. The judgment mandates Harding and his company to pay back $40,000 to nine consumers and bars them from offering roofing services in the state.
The case against Xcel Roofing highlights a series of deceptive actions perpetrated from 2018 to 2021. Harding, along with Xcel Roofing and co-owner Matthew Priester, were caught accepting significant advance payments for roofing services that they ultimately failed to deliver. The defendants neglected to perform the promised work or issue refunds, leaving consumers with both financial losses and unfinished roofs over their heads.
In addition to the judgment against Harding, the Attorney General's Office earlier managed to secure a $20,000 restitution payment from Priester, bringing the total restitution to over $60,000. Hanaway affirmed, "Missourians deserve to trust that when they pay for home repairs, and welcome roofers on their property, the work will be done honestly and on time," as stated by the Attorney General's Office. These actions embody the Attorney General's Office's broader mission to hold fraudulent contractors responsible and ensure that victims receive what they are due.
Encouraging consumers to take action, Attorney General Hanaway urges any Missourian who believes they have been a victim of a home repair scam to come forward. Affected individuals should file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Hotline or visit the official website. The office takes its role seriously in investigating and prosecuting deceptive practices. For those interested in contributing to this effort, the website also provides information on job opportunities within their ranks.
