INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Attorney General’s office has filed a lawsuit against a Carmel roofing company months after Call 6 Investigates questioned whether the contractor took customers’ money and failed to do the work promised.
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Greg Zoeller’s office filed suit in Hamilton County Tuesday against Green Frog Restoration LLC and its managers James Twaddle and Wanda VanWinkle.
It alleges Green Frog went door-to-door after storms and “improperly obtained” $259,667 from Indiana consumers.
At least 41 families were victimized by the roofing company, according to the suit. More than half of which were senior citizens.
In Dec. 2014, Twaddle pleaded guilty to criminal charges in Ohio in connection with a similar business, Restore-It, according to the suit.
On Dec. 9, 2014, VanWinkle transferred $150,000 from Green Frog’s bank account to Twaddle’s Ohio attorney to distribute to Ohio victims.
The Better Business Bureau issued an alert earlier this year about Green Frog Restoration after receiving multiple complaints from consumers.
John and Leanne Smith of Indianapolis told Call 6 Investigates they hired Green Frog in August 2014 to fix the roof and siding on their south side rental property after a hail storm.
The Smiths say Green Frog fixed the roof in October 2014, but no one returned to fix the siding, despite receiving more than $10,000 in insurance money.
“This has been the worst case nightmare that you can imagine,” said John Smith.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges Green Frog violated the Home Solicitation Sales Act, the Home Improvement Contracts Act, the Deceptive Consumers Sales Act, and the Senior Consumer Protection Act.
While Twaddle was awaiting trial in Ohio, Twaddle and VanWinkle “ramped up Green Frog’s operations in Indiana” between May 2014 and May 2015, according to the suit.
Call 6 Investigates went to Green Frog’s Carmel office this summer, but no one answered.
A phone number for the company was disconnected Tuesday.
When contacted Tuesday, Carmel attorney Russell Jones said he no longer represents Green Frog.
Van Winkle told Call 6 Investigates this summer she would issue a statement to RTV6, but never did.
The Attorney General’s office is seeking restitution for Indiana victims including the Smiths, as well as civil penalties to the state for allegedly violating state laws.
Consumer Tips:
- Do your research before your sign a contract www.bbb.org/indy
- Ask for references
- Don’t rely on verbal promises; ask for it in writing
- Never pay in full before work has begun; 1/3 down payment is typical
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