VFW Post Scammed by Roofing Contractor, Left Without a Roof

VFW Post Defrauded by Roofing Company

• 🎯 VFW Post 8118 in Venice claims they paid $40,000 to Family First Roofing for a new roof, but the job remains unfinished.
• ⚠️ The post is now facing hurricane season without a proper roof, impacting their ability to support veterans.
• 💰 The $40,000 payment was part of a larger $75,000 quote, with funds raised through veterans' contributions and donations.

Unfinished Work and Poor Quality

• 🗓️ Family First Roofing began work in October but has not returned in 9 months, leaving the job incomplete.
• 🛠️ The work that was done is substandard, with issues like nails sticking through the roof and rotted wood remaining.
• 📞 The VFW post leader has called the company approximately 20-30 times with no resolution.

Similar Cases of Contractor Fraud

• 🏠 Highland Weaver, another customer, paid $14,000 to Family First Roofing for a $28,000 job.
• 💔 Weaver's roof was removed in December, leaving him with only underlayment and damaged gutters, and the company never returned to finish.
• ⚖️ Weaver had to hire another company to complete the work and has since sued the owner of Family First Roofing.

Contractor's Response and Company Status

• 🏢 Family First Roofing owner Ronaldo Dante claimed an employee embezzled half a million dollars, leading to the closure of their Sarasota office.
• 📞 Dante declined to discuss specific cases due to ongoing lawsuits and promised to investigate the VFW's situation, but never followed up.
• 📢 The company later announced on its website and social media that it would cease new business to focus on completing outstanding projects, citing rapid expansion and misplaced trust.

Legal Recourse and Financial Impact

• 🚓 Law enforcement often classifies such cases as civil issues, making criminal charges difficult unless intent to defraud is proven from the outset.
• ⚖️ An attorney notes that contractors can be sued for civil theft, potentially resulting in triple damages.
• 💸 VFW Post 8118 has had to hire another company for over $100,000 to complete the roof, incurring additional costs beyond the initial payment.
• 📉 The financial strain means less money is available for the post to spend on supporting veterans in need.

GoFundMe Controversy

• 💰 Family First Roofing allegedly created a GoFundMe fundraiser for the VFW post's roof, raising $1,500.
• 🚫 The VFW post claims they never received any of these funds.
• 🚶‍♂️ The manager who set up the GoFundMe stated he no longer works for the company.