The focus of an I-team investigation is now facing felony charges. The story exposed Hightower Restoration and its manager Duane Michael Cottier in May after dozens of homeowners complained about jobs that were paid for but never finished.
The company went door-to-door pitching free roofs in Citrus County after a hail storm hit in 2014.
We found 15 customers who said the company told them insurance would pay for everything. All they had to do was sign an assignment of benefits page.
AOB’s allow the contractor to step into the shoes of the insured, file the claim and collect the money.
Investigators say Hightower received millions of dollars in insurance payouts.
According to the arrest report, the company collected $950,000 on about 90 claims in Citrus County alone but never actually replaced the roofs.
The state estimates another 37 homeowners now face liens on their homes because Hightower Restoration failed to pay for materials and labor on work that was done.
