Attorney General's News Release

June 16, 2006

Florissant home repair contractor arrested on charges he took payments from customers but didn't complete work

Clayton, Mo. — A St. Louis-area contractor was arrested today on charges he took payments totaling more than $31,000 from customers for home repairs but did not complete the work. A St. Louis County grand jury indicted Jason M. Leavy on eight counts of unlawful merchandising practices earlier this week, at the request of Attorney General Jay Nixon.

Leavy (DOB - 5/21/74), of Florissant, did business under the names Midwest Roofing & Contracting, CRS, CRSI and Merit Construction. The allegations cover a time period from January 2004 to April 2006. Nixon said his office had received complaints about Leavy and his businesses from St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Illinois.

Unlawful merchandising practices is a class D felony under Missouri law, punishable upon conviction by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine on each count. The charges against Leavy are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Nixon emphasized the following common-sense rules Missourians should remember before hiring a contractor:

• Get several written estimates from local firms.
• Ask for references and call them.
• Get all guarantees in writing.
• Don't pay more than one-third of the total price for a down payment.

Consumers who believe they have been victims of home repair fraud may call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or visit his Web site at www.ago.mo.gov.

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