Contractor allegedly defrauded homeowners
By Mike Nolan mnolan@southtownstar.com June 27, 2012 8:52PM
Updated: July 29, 2012 5:05PM
An Orland Park homeowner was among two people allegedly bilked by an area construction firm that took insurance claim payments for roof repairs that were never performed, the Cook County state’s attorney said Wednesday in announcing a lawsuit against the company.
Lake Shore Construction.net Inc. and its owner, David Gerger, allegedly took more than $21,000 in insurance checks from two homeowners whose roofs had been damaged by storms, according to a news release from the office. Lake Shore operated from offices in Homer Glen and LaGrange Park, according to the complaint.
The state’s attorney claims that Gerger would solicit Lake Shore’s services in neighborhoods that had experienced severe weather, and offered to inspect homeowners’ roofs. He told homeowners their insurance company would cover the costs of the repairs, and offered to negotiate their insurance claims even though he’s not a licensed insurance adjuster, according to the state’s attorney.
The complaint alleges that, last October, he collected an insurance check for $14,658 from the Orland Park resident but didn’t perform the promised repairs.
The lawsuit seeks refunds for the homeowners and a $50,000 fine. Gerger was not available for comment.
