State Crime Reports

Attorney General Madigan Sues Suburban Home Repair Companies


Chicago —(ENEWSPF)—July 2, 2015. Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a lawsuit against Lake County home repair companies for scamming northern Illinois residents out of over $175,000 for work that was either never performed or was substandard.

Attorney General Madigan filed the lawsuit in Cook County against Sentry RSW (Roofing, Siding, and Windows) Inc. and its president, Keith Polanowski, as well as the now-dissolved Sentry Restorations Inc. and its president, Brett Clark. The lawsuit accuses the companies of violating the state’s Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Home Repair and Remodeling Act.

According to Madigan’s lawsuit, the Volo, Ill.-based companies operated as one entity but used different names to confuse consumers. Polanowski and Clark allegedly collected homeowners’ insurance checks for roof repairs and other construction services, though according to the lawsuit, they either did not perform the agreed upon work or the repairs were shoddy. The lawsuit alleges that consumers who contacted the companies to complain either could not reach anyone or were promised further repairs that were never performed. In most cases, the lawsuit states, consumers attempting to cancel contracts were refused refunds or even sued for breach of contract.

“Home repair fraud is consistently one of the top complaints reported to my office,” Attorney General Madigan said. “I encourage anyone looking for a contractor or repair service to call my office and the Better Business Bureau to ask about a company’s record before hiring them.”

Attorney General Madigan’s office received 50 complaints from consumers in Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties, who reported losses of over $176,428.35. The Better Business Bureau received 24 complaints involving the defendants. Attorney General Madigan is asking the court to prevent the companies from doing business in Illinois. The lawsuit also seeks to nullify any contracts, provide restitution to consumers and impose civil penalties on the defendants.

Attorney General Madigan encouraged consumers who believe they may have been defrauded by Sentry RSW Inc. or Sentry Restorations Inc. to contact her office’s Consumer Fraud Hotline:

1-800-386-5438 (Chicago)
1-800-243-0618 (Springfield)
1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale)

Assistant Attorney General Bianca Brown is handling the case for Madigan’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.

Source: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov

 


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