Attorney General's News Release

June 30, 1999

Nixon obtains court order against St. Louis fence builder; seeks more than $55,000 from two St. Louis roofers

Clayton, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today obtained a $6,818 judgment against a St. Louis County fence builder and filed suit against two St. Louis County roofers for almost $53,000 in restitution and penalties.

Daniel Howard Cahill, who operated the businesses Able Fence and Cahill Fence, has already refunded almost $4,200 and has been ordered to repay another three customers an additional $1,718.

He also must pay for the Attorney General court costs and $1,000 for investigative fees according to a consent judgment. Cahill is prohibited from having any interest in a contracting business for a two-year period.

Nixon also filed today for a preliminary injunction to prohibit George Wayne Turner and his son Joseph G. Turner, who did business under the names Kirkwood-Webster Roofing, Webster-Kirkwood Roofing, Turner Roofing and South St. Louis Roofing, from working as contractors for at least three years. Nixon is also seeking $25,614 in restitution for nine customers and more than $29,500 in penalties and costs.

Complaints against Cahill and the Turners from St. Louis area residents included shoddy work, failure to complete work and the failure to do any work at all.

"We have now obtained judgments against three St. Louis area contractors in the last two months and are going after two more," Nixon. "We will continue to take legal action against those who prey on Missouri homeowners."

Nixon said there are several precautions consumers can take to avoid home repair fraud:

• Obtain written estimates from at least three local contractors.
• Ask for an address and phone number if the workers tell you they are self-employed.
• Get all guarantees in writing.
• Ask for the names of references and call them.
• Don't pay for the entire job with your down payment. The down payment should be no more than one-third of the total price.
• Call your local Better Business Bureau to check on complaints or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 to check on legal action 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