WICHITA, KS– A Wichita-area roofing contractor and his company have been ordered to pay more than half a million dollars after a court found they engaged in deceptive business practices that left multiple customers with substandard or dangerous roof work.
A Sedgwick County judge entered a $510,755.40 default judgment against Tyler Sims and Flint Hills Roofing Co. LLC for unconscionable and deceptive acts under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office announced.
The Consumer Protection Division launched its investigation after receiving multiple complaints about Sims and his company. Prosecutors alleged 28 violations of the consumer protection law, including failure to obtain required building permits, skipping mandatory inspections and abandoning projects before completion. In several instances, roofs had to be partially or completely replaced to meet local building codes.
In one particularly egregious case, Sims and Flint Hills installed a metal roof replacement using water-damaged, moldy plywood along with heavy asphalt shingles. The combination rendered the structure unsafe to enter due to the excessive weight of the materials.
When an insurance company requested two additional repair estimates as part of a claim, prosecutors said Sims provided a fraudulent estimate from a defunct company he had previously owned. He also forged a second estimate using another company’s logo without authorization.
The court ordered Sims and Flint Hills Roofing Co. LLC to pay $36,558.40 in restitution to affected consumers and $470,000 in civil penalties. The judgment also includes court costs and investigative fees.
Both Sims and the company are prohibited from conducting business in Kansas until the judgment is paid in full, proper licensing is obtained and all necessary permits are secured for future work.
