Attorney General's News Release

June 19, 2003

Nixon sues Jefferson County man for home repair fraud

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court against home repair contractor William J. Ludwig, charging him with defrauding several homeowners. Nixon said Ludwig defrauded consumers by taking down payments for work and then failing to complete or begin work, or by doing shoddy work.

Ludwig did home repair work in the St. Louis area under several names, including: Allied Exteriors, Shelke's Discount Exteriors, Shelke's Visual Solutions, Four Seasons Exteriors, and Miller Door and Window. Nixon said that Ludwig changed business names at least once to avoid the bad reputation he developed under a prior name.

Nixon said Ludwig failed to provide refunds to 11 consumers, who lost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. According to the lawsuit, the victims said Ludwig gave them many excuses why he did not do the work or provide the refunds, including his being unable to function as a result of the events of Sept. 11; family members, workers or girlfriend who were ill; stolen equipment; and his cousin being struck by a car. In one instance, Ludwig requested an advance payment of $2,900 from a consumer, stating he needed the money for throat surgery.

"If Mr. Ludwig was as good at home repair as he was at creative fiction, there probably wouldn't be a problem," Nixon said.

In addition to restitution and penalties, the suit seeks to permanently bar Ludwig from owning a home repair business again in Missouri. Nixon offered several suggestions to protect consumers from fraudulent home repair:

• Obtain written estimates from at least three local contractors.
• Get all guarantees in writing. Ask for the names of references and call them.
• Don't pay for the entire job upfront; the down payment should be no more than one-third of the total price.
• Call your local Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 to check on complaints against a contractor.

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