Leslie Wright paid more than $16,000 toward a new roof and ceiling repairs on her Jacksonville home starting in October 2024. Nearly two years later, she says not a single shingle has gone up, and her ceilings are still leaking and peeling where the damage began.
Wright, a disabled Air Force veteran, says she agreed to hire Fortress Roofing and Construction after the company approached her about replacing her roof and repairing related ceiling damage, according to reporting from First Coast News. Invoices show her insurance company paid Fortress more than $4,200 in November 2024, and company documents show it received more than $5,800 in June 2025. Wright says she personally paid more than $6,200 in additional costs, including a deductible, as recently as February 2026 — bringing her total payments past $16,000, by her own account.
Despite all that money changing hands, Fortress did no work on her home, First Coast News reported. The unfinished job has left her house with leaks and peeling paint inside, damage that has simply continued to worsen while she waits.
Promises, Delays, and a Dumpster That Never Came
The station's report lays out a trail of broken promises. In May 2026, Fortress scheduled construction materials and a dumpster to be delivered to Wright's home — but nothing ever showed up. The company then told her work would begin in August 2026, a deadline that also came and went without a hammer touching her roof.
Back in March 2026, Fortress had sent Wright an email acknowledging the delays, attributing them to unforeseen scheduling challenges, new staff integration, and administrative issues. In that same message, the company said those scheduling and administrative problems had been resolved and reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling promises to customers, per the same account. A company representative separately told the outlet that the insurance claim had gone through a public adjuster and appraisal process, and that Fortress was waiting on paperwork, including a power of attorney. Wright disputes that she has ever had a power of attorney on file.
When First Coast News's Ask Anthony team sought further explanation, Fortress provided no on-camera interview and no additional details. Reporters said they could not find anyone at the company's listed address.
An F Rating and a Pattern of Complaints
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation records as of September 2026 show Fortress still holds an active, certified roofing contractor license, CCC1336113, registered under primary qualifier Patrick J. Claudio, with an expiration date of August 31, 2028, according to MyFloridaLicense.com. That active status stands in contrast to the company's standing with consumer watchdogs: the Better Business Bureau lists Fortress, incorporated in October 2022 with Michelle Claudio as president, with an F rating tied to 20 complaints filed over the past three years, four of which received no response from the company and one of which remains unresolved. Those complaints include allegations of delays and missed installation dates, mirroring what Wright says happened to her.
Wright's health has also suffered during the drawn-out dispute. She had a heart attack in September 2025, and her sister has been helping her navigate the fallout with the contractor ever since. Through it all, Wright says what she wants is simple: for Fortress to complete the work it was paid for, or give her money back.
What Florida Law Says About Contractors Who Take Deposits and Don't Perform
Florida Statute Section 489.126 sets firm deadlines for contractors who collect more than 10 percent of a contract price upfront for residential repairs: they must apply for necessary permits within 30 days and begin work within 90 days of permit issuance, according to the Florida Senate.
Before a homeowner can invoke those statutory theft provisions, though, Florida law requires a specific procedural step: sending a formal written demand letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, demanding that the contractor apply for permits, begin work, or issue a full refund, according to Andrew Douglas, P.A. Separately, for contracts signed on or after July 1, 2024, state law known as HB 1335 allows harmed homeowners to seek up to $30,000 per claim from Florida's Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund following a final judgment or restitution order, per Wyman Legal Solutions. If a consumer does receive a payout from that fund, the contractor's license is automatically suspended under Chapter 489 of Florida Statutes until the money is fully repaid with interest, according to Cobb & Gonzalez.
For now, DBPR's role is strictly regulatory — the agency does not represent consumers in civil matters or recover money on their behalf, meaning homeowners like Wright may need to pursue private legal counsel or other civil remedies to get their money back. Florida homeowners are advised to keep contracts, invoices, receipts, payment proof, correspondence, and photographs, and to put concerns and requests to contractors in writing. They can also check a contractor's license status or file a complaint directly with DBPR, which says supporting documentation helps with any complaint it reviews.
A Broader Pattern in Duval County
Wright's case isn't isolated. Hoodline reported in July 2026 that another Jacksonville-area roofing firm, Massey Contracting, came under state fraud investigation after homeowners and subcontractors reported stalled jobs and bounced checks. The Florida Department of Financial Services runs a Fraud Free Florida initiative that offers rewards of up to $25,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of people committing contractor or insurance fraud.
Wright says she simply wants her roof — or her money back. In the meantime, Ask Anthony's Anthony Austin has connected her with community members who may replace her roof and address the repairs at no cost.
