Dallas-Area Roofer Rips Off Over $500K In Deposits, Failed To Do Any Work, Say Homeowners

In Dallas, Texas, CBS 11 News reports:

• A CBS 11 investigation exposed a roofing contractor who stirred up a financial storm in the wake of last years hail storm. [...] Roofing contractor Shawn Tatum came calling after that hail storm. He allegedly defrauded customers out of more than half a million dollars. [Homeowner Richard] Stewart and dozens of other customers gave Tatum their insurance settlement checks to buy materials for a new roof. Tatum cashed Stewart's check for more than $6,500, but Stewart got nothing in return.

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• Tatum has since filed for bankruptcy. He claims customers owe him more than a half million dollars, even though he cashed their checks and didn't do the work, according to court testimony. More than two dozen former customers and suppliers faced off against Tatum in Fort Worth at the bankruptcy court last month. Tatum appeared to have a massive memory failure. In response to nearly 100 questions, Tatum replied "I can't recall." Tatum proudly testified that in four years as a roof contractor, he never handled a hammer.

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• Tatum's customers say he is trying to use bankruptcy to get out of paying back their money. The Tarrant County District Attorney has told them that it has opened an inquiry into his roof contracting business while the Colleyville Police Department continues its theft investigation.

For more, see Roofing Contractor Stirs Up Financial Storm (read story) (watch video).

For other posts on builders & contractors accused of stiffing customers, go here and go here. contractors stiff subs customers zeta