With the recent tornado and hail damage...there's been no shortage of out of state contractors and roofers in the Central Oklahoma...one in particular has been on our radar for several weeks...Red River Insurance Construction...DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS OUT OF STATE COMPANY! Shel St. Claire (also known as Shel St. Pankau) and Richard Rinaolo run the roofing company...and are facing criminal charges in Illinois. They're also under investigation for the same thing in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. You can check out our investigation into Red River Insurance Construction here... www.kfor.com/inyourcorner ...Several FOX affiliates have also picked up on the story...Houston and Chicago
Here's some tips I picked up from State Attorney General...
• Ask people you trust for referrals.
• Check out the company with Better Business Bureau at BBB.org.
• Call the Attorney General’s Office to find out if any complaints have been filed against the
company.
• Get written estimates from at least two firms.
• Don’t do business without a written contract.
• Don’t sign a contract with blank spaces or provisions you don’t understand.
• Get all guarantees, warranties and promises in writing.
• Agree on start and completion dates and have them written into the contract.
• Get names and addresses and check old phone books to see how long the company has
been in business.
• Ask for proof of workers’ compensation and liability insurance.
• Don’t make final payments unless you are satisfied with the work.
• Make sure subcontractors have been paid by getting lien waivers.
• Don’t pay the entire contract up-front.
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I'm from Texas and I agree. These out of towners, or staters have no concern for building a reputation.
ReplyDeletehttp://theroofforum.blogspot.com/2010/07/open-letter-to-oklahoma.html
These idiots are the dumbest, most heartless people I have ever met. I was tricked as well. Although it was not my home, it was a job. They hired me on, and said they would do this and that... then what do they do? leave and not pay me over $1000 they owed. They took and i'm guessing destroyed all customer files, leaving myself and co worker unable to help anyone out in any way. They deserve everything they get, and I hope its HELL! I'm just a young college student, who thought they were decent people, and here they are, stealing! It's dispicable! Makes me sick to think about it, and I hope that they pay for everything they have done!!! I feel terrible for all of you who were too scammed, and i feel stupid as I google them and find all these complaints.
ReplyDeleteRichard Rinaolo and Shel St. Clair/Shel Pankau travel together.
Shel St.Clair/Pankau is CRAZY! She has no drivers license and was driving a Burnt Orange Dodge Caliber with Illinios plates last time I saw her. It was a rental! Richard drove a silver mini van with Illinios Plates. If you have any questions about them, I may could help answer possibly. Please E-mail me ... lovenote87@yahoo.com
I just found out about the scam going on around my office because I am a property manager. These scum tried to penetrate their business into my office. Guess what? It turns out that Shel is my neighbor here in wilmette. She lives two doors down and always has the police at her house and her kids were taken away by the Child services. Fraud checks and you name it. She has five children all running about. It is real sad.
ReplyDeleteBullshit! I know this woman personally. I investigated her. She has 8 children, is a single mom with NO child support. Her kids adore her and everyone of her grown children has gone to college, graduated, has a job,and is not involved with drugs. That is not sad that is amazing!
Deletenice post. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteRoofing Company
This company is currently praying on innocent people in Nashville, TN as American National Insurance Construction. www.anic-online.com Their direct number is 615-Seven Eight One-Fourty Two Fourty Two. The owner who previously went by Shel St. Claire or Shel St. Pankau now refers to herself as Michelle Bennett. Her partner Richard Rinaolo now refers to himself as Richard Todd. I hope this helps someone. They need to be stopped.
ReplyDeleteAgain, BS. Don't you people check your facts? ANIC was owned by entirely different people. Michelle Bennett was consulting with them. Richard Rinaolo wasn't involved. He was at the time Bennett's boyfriend and living off of her. The company was destroyed by slander and lies on the part of an employee and investigated by the authorities. No charges were ever filed.
DeleteAgain, to correct you, Richard Rinaolo was using the name Richard Thomas, not Richard Todd. His full name is Richard Thomas Rinaolo and he lives in Lake Forest IL. Some believe that he is currently running an unlicensed unregistered business of the same type in IL and in TX. Bennett is in business consulting.
DeleteWow! brandon....somebody pay you to write that defense?
ReplyDeleteShel Stclair is known by Bennett, Pankau, Von Mar, Sinclair, Stclaire, and one more thats current just incase you wish to provide it here. Btw ANIC was actually put in her Daughters name becuse of the publicity that her own name was getting at the time of it's formation. Both Her and Richard have 7 new Felony charges in Illinois. Which can easily be verified by calling the Cook County courthouse at 847-470-5073. Below is a link for old charges filed by the Attorney General in Illinois concerning the pair. http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/pressroom/2010_02/20100211.html
Personally I wouldnt doubt it one bit that "You Brandon" are actualy just shel herself typing a defense under yet another alias, definetly would Not be the first time!
Hi! I'm a new follower of your lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteJones Rofing
Richard Rinaolo (aka Richard Thomas)
ReplyDeleteAnd
Shel St Clair (aka Shel St Pankau or Michel Bennett)
Are both sitting in Cook County lockup, (jail) she cannot get bail, he cannot pay his.
They are going to trial April 15, 2013, and all victims are welcome
They will be in Judge Howard E. Garritt's court 206 in the morning
Please feel free to write Judge Garritt or The Cook County District Attorney Edward McCarty
Honorable Garritt E Howard
Cook County Circuit Court
5600 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, Illinois 60607
(847) 470-7200
Or the District Attorney at the same switchboard number and same address
If you live in Louisiana, and these two have stolen from you in one of their scams, not paid salary, or not paid the rent while running their scams...please contact the Louisiana District Attorney ASAP in the hope of being repaid...but do this soon
So many have been hurt, financially and seriously damaged by these two crooks...it's time for justice...or they will continue stealing from people
Those who were ripped off in Shreveport should contact
ReplyDeleteMaster Trooper Ted Reiel
(318) 862-9986