Attorney General's News Release

November 2, 2000

St. Louis roofing contractors to pay more than $32,000 in restitution and penalties under order obtained by Nixon

Clayton, Mo. — A father and son who operate a roofing business in St. Louis will pay more than $32,000 — including $28,469 in restitution to consumers — for doing shoddy or incomplete installation and repair work, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today.

Roofing contractors George Wayne Turner and his son, Joseph G. Turner, will repay the customers under the terms of the consent judgment approved today by St. Louis County Associate Circuit Judge Mary Pat Schroeder.

The Turners and their business, South St. Louis Roofing Co., have turned over more than $15,000 to be used for restitution; the balance of $13,350 will be paid in monthly installments over the next two years. The defendants also will pay a total of $2,000 in penalties and $2,000 in costs as part of the judgment.

Nixon took legal action against South St. Louis Roofing after receiving complaints from consumers, particularly elderly residents, about work not being completed or shoddy work being done after the customers had made payments.

Under the judgment, the defendants also were ordered to:

• obtain written contracts, signed by the customer, with a legible and complete copy of the contract going to the customer. The contracts have to contain such information such as specific work to be performed and when it would begin, warranties and guarantees, and payment amounts and schedules;
• place all payments for contracting work in a business account that would not be for personal or non-business use;
• provide customers with written and dated receipts; and
• comply with all Missouri consumer protection laws and with all business registration requirements with the Secretary of State.

Nixon said Missourians who have complaints about home repair can call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818