Atty. general sues Mt. Prospect roofer

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit today against a Westmont roofing contractor who lives in Mount Prospect.

The suit claims that Gary Phillips, owner of based Best Roofing, formerly Roof Medics, took on roofing contracts without being properly licensed and then failed to do some jobs and completed others in a substandard fashion.

When consumers complained that their roofs were still leaking, Phillips often failed to return their calls, the suit says.

Reached by phone, Phillips said he was unaware of the lawsuit and surprised by its claims because he believes the company's standard of work is very high.

He said his company offered a "roof tuneup" for $295. He said that covers patching for the roof and includes company making two visits, if needed. If the problem can't be fixed in those two trips, that money will be applied toward more comprehensive repairs.

"We've got a lot of happy customers," Phillips said. "I've got a lot more happy customers than unhappy customers."

He said the unreturned phone calls may have resulted from the company being short-staffed and very busy, but he said all calls are returned.

Madigan spokeswoman Natalie Bauer said the suit cites eight complaints since 2008. She said the suit was filed this morning in Cook County Circuit Court, and Phillips now has 30 days to file a response.

In the suit, Madigan asks the court to prohibit Phillips from engaging in the home repair trade. The suit also seeks restitution for consumers, a civil penalty of $50,000, additional penalties of $50,000 for each violation found to have been committed with the intent to defraud and $10,000 per violation found to have been committed against a consumer who is 65 years or older.

The lawsuit further asks the court to require Phillips to pay the costs of the prosecution and investigation of the case.

"It's inexcusable for a contractor to accept down payments but then fail to perform the work or handle it in an unprofessional manner," Madigan said in a news release. "I urge consumers to make sure they're informed and ask detailed questions before they hire a contractor in an effort to avoid this type of fraud."

Consumers who believe they're victims of consumer fraud can download a complaint form at IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov/consumers or call the Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Hotline at (800) 386-5438 or the Spanish-language hotline at (866) 310-8398.