Lawsuit against closed Springfield roofing company continues

On November 13, 2024By Pranco

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Customers haven’t received refunds, but they tell On Your Side they’re feeling a lot of relief. They’ve waited for years, and now the lawsuit against a shuttered Springfield roofing company is moving forward.

It all started with an On Your Side survey. Back in spring 2021, we told you about LoveOurRoof. We heard of several customers who made thousands of deposits, and then the company suddenly closed. No work was ever done.

Following our research, The Missouri attorney general filed a lawsuit about two years ago. Not much has happened since then, but now there is movement.

“I really thought that day would never come,” Laura Leclair said.

We first spoke with Leclair a few years ago. She hired LoveOurRoof and paid nearly $4,000 for new siding and other upgrades. Shortly after writing that check, the company closed. She has filed a complaint with the attorney general and is listed in the lawsuit. She and a dozen others will appear for depositions next month.

“I’m nervous about it, but I know we haven’t done anything wrong. We paid money for which we received no services. I have nothing to hide. I’d like to share our side of the story. I won’t hold my breath to see if we get our money back, but the fact that they are doing something about it and hopefully letting these people do this again,” she said.

Court records show it was difficult to serve the defendants. The attorney general is suing the company, James Harding and Matthew Preister, for violating the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. Court documents show that the company made false promises to customers. The AG wants the defendants to pay more than $56,000 in restitution, plus fines and court costs.

In April 2021, Harding told On Your Side that he would make things right.

Meanwhile, a quick internet search shows that Preister has had ties to other roofing companies in the Kansas City area since the closure. The attorney general asked the judge to ban him and Harding from working in construction.

“Whether he is a 1099 contractor or an employee or owner of a business, he has wronged people in this industry, and I don’t think he should ever be allowed to work there in the state of Missouri again,” Leclair said. .

The defendants have not filed a response to this lawsuit. On Your Side called and emailed them several times, but heard nothing. At this time they do not have an attorney in this case.

We will continue to follow this story.

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