A former roofing contractor in the Louisville, Ky. area was sentenced to 13 years in prison for scamming more than $268,000 from 36 victims.
Scott Adam Cooper, 34, of Louisville, had been charged with 36 counts of theft by deception and theft by failure to make required disposition of property. He ran a company called Precision Restoration Co. to conduct the scam.
According to a release from the Kentucky Attorney General, an investigation found “payments starting in April 13, 2016, through Feb. 20, 2018 to Cooper, who would agree to replace the roof at each victim’s home, but never returned to do the work or return the money.”
Cooper pleaded guilty to the charges in early February.
“Nobody should fall prey when they are trying to improve their lives by investing their hard-earned money into home improvements, but sadly there are those out there who resort to these types of schemes,” said Andy Beshear, attorney general, Kentucky. “Thanks to the dogged investigation by my office of consumer protection and to the successful prosecution by the Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney it will be a long time before Mr. Cooper can attempt to harm anyone again.”
The Better Business Bureau previously issued a consumer alert about Cooper as well as Precision Restoration and two other affiliated companies — Titan Restoration and Castlerock Restoration. He also reportedly was using the alias of “Adam Smith.”
Several complaints on the BBB website provide insight into how Cooper would rip off unsuspecting customers.
“I entered into a contract with…Precision Restoration in December of 2016 to replace my roof,” a typical complaint reads. “He stated that before he could order materials and get the process going he needed money upfront and we agreed that I would provide $7,850, which I did. He claimed that he planned on having his crew out within 2 weeks to get the roof replaced. He went quiet after that. I would call and text him many times and every so often he would respond with an excuse of weather, which granted it was winter so I didn't press too hard on it. It started to get warmer and there were many days that the weather was no issue and he would not respond to texts or phone calls/voice mails. He would respond every 2-3 weeks stating that he was working in Eastern KY and had no cell service and that they would be here the next week to do to the roof. This happened 2 or 3 times, but he never showed. He promised he would have materials delivered several times but that never happened. Now his phone appears to be cut off.”
WAVE-TV, a local NBC-TV affiliate, reported that many of the victims were in the courtroom when Cooper was sentenced on Monday.
WAVE-TV also said Cooper apologized to victims during sentencing.
“I’m deeply, deeply sorry from the bottom of my heart for what I have done,” Cooper said. “I’m not the same person that I was a year and a half ago.
"Regardless of when I am out of incarceration, whether it be the full 13 years, or whenever [the judge decides], or whenever the great Lord decides for me to come home, I’m going to make it right,” Cooper said.
