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Florida AG Sues Hurricane Repair Contractors Over Alleged $1 Million Scheme; St. Lucie Victims Among Complainants
State lawsuit alleges at least 80 Floridians paid for storm repairs that were unfinished or never started; Attorney General urges other potential victims to come forward.
Staff Writer
Sep 26, 2026
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a civil lawsuit against two Naples-area construction companies and six people connected to the businesses, alleging unfair, deceptive and unconscionable practices involving hurricane-related roof repairs, water remediation and mold work.
The lawsuit targets Evolve Construction LLC and Evolve Construction & Restoration Inc. State officials say at least 80 consumers across 11 Florida counties have complained, with alleged losses totaling more than $1 million.
More than 60 percent of the complainants are seniors, according to the Attorney General's Office.
The allegations have not been proven in court. The companies and individual defendants are entitled to respond to the state's claims, and the filing of a civil complaint is not a finding of liability.
TREASURE COAST CONNECTION
The case reaches directly into the Treasure Coast.
According to the Attorney General's Office, consumers from St. Lucie County are among those who have filed complaints. The other counties identified by the state are Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola, Manatee, Volusia, St. Johns and Broward.
The Attorney General's Office also identifies defendant Jarret Gross as a Martin County resident and an authorized member of Evolve Construction LLC.
That gives the statewide consumer-protection case a direct regional connection for Treasure Coast residents.
WHAT THE STATE ALLEGES
According to the Attorney General's Office, representatives associated with the businesses solicited homeowners following Hurricanes Ian and Milton and offered services including roof inspections, roof replacement and water or mold remediation.
The state alleges consumers were given representations about insurance settlements, permits and repair schedules, while in some cases insurance proceeds were obtained but work remained unfinished or never began.
The complaint also includes allegations involving cancellation provisions, contractual penalties and property liens.
According to the state, some liens were allegedly recorded against homeowners even in situations where no work or materials had been provided.
Those claims are allegations contained in pending civil litigation and should not be interpreted as established findings of fraud.
COMPANY HOLDS ACTIVE ROOFING LICENSE
State licensing records add an important distinction.
Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation lists Evolve Construction LLC as holding an active Certified Roofing Contractor license, number CCC1335029, with an expiration date of August 31, 2028.
The Attorney General's allegations include separate claims involving whether individual sales representatives had required home-solicitation permits.
An active contractor license does not resolve the allegations in the Attorney General's lawsuit, but it means the company should not be described simply as an unlicensed roofing contractor.
WHAT HOMEOWNERS SHOULD WATCH FOR
Major storms often bring an influx of contractors and sales representatives into damaged communities.
Florida homeowners should be cautious about high-pressure door-to-door solicitations, demands to immediately sign over insurance benefits or proceeds, large upfront payments, promises that an insurer will automatically pay for work, contracts containing substantial cancellation penalties and contractors who cannot clearly document licensing or required permits.
Consumers can verify Florida contractor licenses through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation before signing an agreement.
HOMEOWNERS WHO BELIEVE THEY WERE VICTIMS CAN REPORT IT
The Florida Attorney General's Office is asking consumers who believe they were harmed by Evolve or by similar storm-repair contractors to file a complaint.
Florida's statewide Attorney General Fraud Hotline is:
1-866-9-NO-SCAM1-866-966-7226
Consumers can also submit a consumer complaint through the Florida Attorney General's Office at MyFloridaLegal.com.
Homeowners should preserve contracts, invoices, canceled checks, insurance correspondence, photographs, text messages, emails and other records connected to disputed repair work.
The Attorney General's lawsuit will now proceed through the court system, where the defendants will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
For Treasure Coast homeowners, the inclusion of St. Lucie County complainants is another reminder that alleged post-storm contracting problems are not limited to Southwest Florida communities hit directly by Ian.
IRC Media uses aggregated public data and verified sources; articles reviewed by editorial team to the best of our ability.