Default judgment entered against Minn. roofer

TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced on Tuesday that his office obtained an order against a Minnesota roofing company that allegedly violated Kansas consumer protection laws.

Shawnee County District Court Judge Rebecca Crotty entered a default judgment against the Eagan, Minn.-based Pinnacle Exteriors LLC. The judgment ordered Pinnacle to pay an $80,000 civil penalty and barred the company from doing business in Kansas.

Schmidt's Consumer Protection Division alleged Pinnacle engaged in deceptive and unconscionable practices while selling roofing services door-to-door. Pinnacle allegedly attempted to collect money from consumers for work it never performed.

In March, Crotty entered a restraining order against Pinnacle that prohibited it from operating in Kansas for failing to answer an investigative subpoena issued by Schmidt's office. The injunction remains in place.

"Our office is actively cracking down on these fly-by-night operations," Schmidt said. "Kansans in need of roof repairs should seek out a reputable, local roofing company that is properly registered with the attorney general's office, as required by law."

The Kansas Roofing Registration Act took effect in July. The law requires all roofing contractors operating in the state of Kansas to register with Schmidt's office. More than 700 roofers are currently following that requirement.