COLUMBUS – The wife in a contracting repair scam run with her husband that cost 35 Ohio victims more than $140,000 has been sentenced. Carol Richard, co-owner of All Seasons Contracting, based in Kentucky but with an office in Ironton, Ohio, pleaded guilty in late September to one count of attempted engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. She was sentenced today in the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas to four years of community control and ordered to pay $143,426.98 in restitution. Patrick Richard is scheduled to be sentenced in January.
“I appreciate the work of the Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions,” Taylor said. “These cases send a strong message to those who might prey on innocent Ohioans or commit fraud that we will take action.”
A joint investigation led by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office with assistance from the Ohio Department of Insurance and Ironton law enforcement determined that All Seasons Contracting entered into contracts with homeowners in the Ironton area and failed to provide the agreed upon services. The investigation also found All Seasons Contracting submitted a false certificate of completion to an insurance company to support the payment of a homeowner’s insurance claim.
Taylor offered these tips to help Ohioans avoid contractor fraud:
- Request a list of reputable contractors from your insurer or the Better Business Bureau.
- Do not permit a contractor to negotiate or settle your insurance claim.
- Pay with check or credit card and do not pay in full or sign a completion certificate until all work is done.
If you believe someone may be committing insurance fraud or professional misconduct, the Department urges people to call its fraud hotline at 800-686-1527. Insurance fraud information is available at www.insurance.ohio.gov.