Contractor sued for allegedly stealing from homeowner

GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish homeowner is suing a contractor for allegedly stealing money she provided for renovations to her home.

Reine Pema Sanga filed suit against Chistopher Perdomo and Augustino Brothers Construction LLC in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 7.

Sanga claims she contracted with Perdomo and Augustino Brothers Construction to do work on her home located at 4053 Turtle Bayou Drive in Kenner. The plaintiff alleges the defendants were supposed to put a new roof on her home for $18,264.03. Sanga asserts she made a check out to Perdomo and Augustino Brothers Construction for $9,132.02 for roofing materials. The plaintiff claims the defendant used a “bait and switch” tactic by not checking the availability of the roof he had contracted to construct and increased the contract price to $20,174.64 using the down payment as leverage to increase the overall price. However, after making excuses that the roofing materials had not arrived Sanga alleges she went to the roofing store and found Perdomo had never ordered the materials.

Although the defendant purportedly sent the plaintiff an email saying he would repay the deposit it was not until the plaintiff complained to the Louisiana Contractors Licensing Board that he fowarded her a check of $3,743.36, which was $5,388.66 less than the original deposit. Perdomo was allegedly arrested for theft and home improvement fraud by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office ion connection with this incident.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract and violating state law.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for theft of funds, non-performance of the contract, hiring another contractor to perform the work, additional expenses, insurance renewal expenses, Hurricane Isaac damages, mental anguish, embarrassment, inconvenience and attorney fees.

Sanga is represented by attorney Kevin Tucker of Metairie.

The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Henry G. Sullivan Jr.

Case no. 726-729.