Evansville, IN — Two co-owners of Rooftop Construction, a local roofing and construction company, have been arrested on charges of fraud following an investigation into substandard repairs made to a home damaged by a tornado earlier this year.
John Shamo, 61, and Hanzel Hoag, 52, were both taken into custody last week. Shamo was booked over the weekend, while Hoag was arrested on Friday. The charges stem from allegations that the men engaged in fraudulent business practices while performing repair work on a home in Evansville that had been severely damaged by an April tornado.
According to deputies, the contractors were hired to perform extensive repairs on the residence, including roof replacement and siding installation. However, authorities claim that the work was improperly completed. Investigators say only portions of the roof were replaced, and old insulation was reused instead of the required new insulation. Additionally, they allege that the siding was installed incorrectly, and the necessary permits for the work were never filed.
The victim, who hired the company to carry out the repairs, initially paid over $26,000 for the work. However, deputies say that after the repairs were completed, the victim was asked to pay additional funds to continue the work—raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the contractors’ practices.
When questioned by investigators, both Shamo and Hoag reportedly stated that they were unaware of any compliance issues related to the work performed. They also claimed they believed the repairs were satisfactory, despite the apparent deficiencies noted by authorities.
The investigation into Rooftop Construction’s practices remains ongoing, and both Shamo and Hoag are facing potential legal consequences related to the alleged fraud.
This case has raised concerns among local homeowners, with some questioning whether other properties may have been impacted by similar issues with the company’s work.
At this time, the police department has urged anyone who believes they may have been affected by similar practices to come forward.
