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(MARYSVILLE, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Union County Prosecuting
Attorney David Phillips announced today the indictment of suspected storm
chaser James Twaddle of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. The indictment alleges that from
March to November 2012, Twaddle stole more than $160,000 from 42 victims across
Ohio through his roofing repair company, Restore It USA.
“Following the damaging storms that hit the Midwest this weekend, we want to remind Ohioans to be wary of individuals like Mr. Twaddle who target affected homeowners,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Preying upon victims after their homes have been ravaged by storms is despicable, and we want to make sure that criminals who steal from unsuspecting storm victims are punished to the
fullest extent of the law.”
“Nine of the victims were elderly, including two of the victims in Union County,” said David Phillips, Union County Prosecuting Attorney. “When we learned of the Attorney General’s investigation, we were pleased to coordinate our investigation with the statewide investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Office and lead the prosecution to get justice for all of Ohio’s victims.”
The indictment alleges that, while operating Restore It USA,
Twaddle and his employees traveled across Union, Franklin, Coshocton, Hamilton,
Licking, Montgomery, Pickaway, and Ross Counties and solicited consumers in
storm-ravaged areas.
Twaddle and his agents approached victims at their homes and
encouraged them to request insurance funds for a new roof. After receiving the victims’ insurance
checks, Twaddle deposited the money into the company’s bank account, but no one
ever returned to the victims’ homes to perform the work that had been promised.
The indictment also alleges that Twaddle used victims’ money
to make frivolous purchases including expensive clothing, outdoor sporting
gear, and a $17,000 engagement ring. To this day, Twaddle has not delivered the
materials, provided refunds to the victims, or started any of the roofing
repair work in the 42 instances that the indictment covers.
Twaddle was charged in the Union County Court of Common
Pleas with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, grand theft, theft from
the elderly, money laundering, and insurance fraud. If convicted, Twaddle faces a prison sentence
of up to 21 and a half years.
Through the course of the investigation, investigators
learned that Twaddle operated in at least four other states, including Indiana,
Kentucky, Missouri, and North Carolina. However, the Union County indictment
covers only those transactions that took place in Ohio.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section
filed a civil lawsuit against Twaddle and his company Restore It USA on May 8,
2013 for violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home
Solicitations Sales Act. The complaint
seeks full consumer restitution and civil penalties.
The Economic Crimes Unit, a division of the Consumer
Protection Section, was created by Attorney General DeWine in March 2011
with the purpose of identifying criminal conduct in consumer fraud cases and
assisting Ohio’s prosecuting attorneys in holding scammers criminally
accountable. To date, 79 people have
been charged with felonies as a result of the unit’s investigations.
Attorney General DeWine cautions Ohioans to be wary of
fly-by-night contractors who travel to storm-ravaged areas. Before entering into a contract with any home
improvement business, consumers should do background research on company’s
reputation, including checking the Attorney General’s website for consumer
complaints at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or by calling 800-282-0515.
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