A Southwest Florida roofing contractor is once again in the spotlight — and this time, it’s not for rebuilding storm-damaged homes. Reife Petersen, owner of JKS Construction, has been arrested by state authorities for allegedly stealing nearly $1 million from homeowners and funneling the funds into personal luxuries instead of promised roofing projects.
Multiple homeowners have come forward expressing both relief and frustration following Petersen’s latest arrest. They say the legal action is overdue but doesn’t undo the financial and emotional damage left behind.
One woman, who hired JKS Construction after Hurricane Ian, said she paid over $31,000 for roof repairs that were never completed — and no materials were ever delivered.
A detailed 26-page arrest warrant from the Florida Department of Financial Services outlines 24 instances of insurance fraud tied to Petersen’s roofing business. He now faces 20 felony charges, including grand theft and scheme to defraud.
According to investigators, Petersen allegedly diverted insurance payments from homeowners into a separate account under RG Worldwide, a company state officials say was not a legitimate business entity.
Petersen’s attorney, Bjorn Brunvand, says his client plans to plead not guilty and intends to review all allegations.
Despite that defense, court documents suggest investigators have been tracking Petersen’s financial activities since at least March 2025, when the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office began tracing missing customer payments that allegedly led straight to Petersen’s personal accounts.
Sadly, this case is not unique. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida saw a surge in unlicensed or unethical contractors preying on desperate homeowners needing urgent roof repairs. Many residents, eager to protect their homes before the next storm season, paid large deposits upfront — only to be left with unfinished or nonexistent work.
