250 Alleged Fraud Cases Being Looked Into In Southwest Louisiana

 

CREDIT: Rick Hickman

250 alleged fraud cases are being looked into in Southwest Louisiana and Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Steven Dwight (above), wants to spread the message that families shouldn't become third-time victims.

"You're frustrated with your insurance company, and that's why you're here. My little boy is on a baseball team. Every parent of a boy on that team is frustrated with an insurance company right now. Everyone is."

Dwight stated that the residents of Calcasieu couldn't help becoming victims of a hurricane. In order to protect residents from becoming two-time victims, Dwight, and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso have formed the Contractor Fraud Task Response Team.

This way reporting fraud becomes easy, and prosecution becomes a priority.

Dwight refuses to see residents become third-time victims to a fraud contractor.

As of the moment, the Contractor Fraud Task Response Team is investigating 250 alleged fraud cases. Generally, hurricanes are what bring criminals to light.

So far, none of the contractors have been reported as from the Calcasieu Parish.

"The sheriff assigned, first two and now three, detectives to my office and we have a dedicated phone line."

Assistant DA/Chief of Litigation Bobby Holmes has said, "When someone calls with an alleged contractor fraud complaint, we listen. The caller sets an appointment with a detective who gets a statement from the homeowner. The homeowner brings in cancelled checks, the signed contract, photographs and other items relevant to the case. I determine if it's a criminal or civil suit."

Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office usually only prosecutes criminal cases. For a case to appear criminal certain things would have to happen, for example, a homeowner paying $5,000 to a contractor and then the contractor disappears.

If it is a civil concern, the recommended place to contact would be the Better Business Bureau and proceed to obtain a civil attorney.

Dwight continued saying, "If I see an engineering report that is a fraudulent misrepresentation of facts, we will take action. If it's a criminal matter, we are going after them. All we really want is for them to get right with the victim. I don't care if they go to jail. I know you do, but I want them to give your money back, to make you whole. It's when they steal that they make us a victim again."

Dwight also stated he doesn't want to see the same thing happen with insurance companies. If you are in Louisiana, the number to call for reporting contractor fraud is 437-3405.

The first point of call when reporting contractor fraud is to call Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon on 1-800-259-5300.