Officials: Sting shows roofers creating storm damage

ATLANTA,None — State agents are working hard to enforce a new law passed following a Channel 2 Action News investigation into unscrupulous roofers, and recently invited Channel 2 cameras to take part in an elaborate sting.

Roofers are no longer allowed to pay storm victim's insurance deductibles or file claims on their behalf following an investigation by Channel 2 consumer investigator Jim Strickland.

Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said he wanted to send a message and asked to use Channel 2 cameras to help. Undercover state agents targeted Ronnie Baker and several other roofers on orders by Hudgens. State officials say Baker advertised a promise that sent up immediate red flags, "Storm victims pay zero deductible."

"We're trying to get the bad actors out," Hudgens told Strickland.

To set up the sting, the state rented a house and first brought in a certified inspector. Channel 2 and the Fraud Squad with the Insurance Commissioner's office had separate hidden cameras.

"It's in good condition. There is no hail or storm related damages," certified inspector Frank Domonousky told Strickland after he looked at the house.

"Over here there is no damage, not a single mark," Domonousky said on top of the roof.

When Baker arrived, cameras showed him doing more measuring than inspecting. He claimed the house needed a new roof and offered to a bargain. "Don't tell them I'm paying your deductible or they'll just deduct that from us. Legally I can't do that," Baker told the undercover agents.

Baker returned later to photograph the supposed damage. Channel 2 was there and recorded the front and back of the house and watched as Baker dug his finger into the shingles. Baker did it over and over again, each time ending with a chalk mark for the insurance company. Baker even took a bolt from the TV antenna on top of the house and used that to twist into a shingle and manufacture damage.

http://bcove.me/ukpz05rg

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