Two Irish nationals, Dean Morgan and John McNamara, have been arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for their alleged involvement in a roofing scam that defrauded Denver residents. Charged with theft and racketeering, the duo is accused of scamming victims out of significant sums of money.
The scam was first reported by CBS News Colorado, where reporter Dillon Thomas collaborated with photojournalist Rob Gajdecki to investigate claims from residents in Congress Park. Many victims, including Jim Ford, reported losing over $10,000 each to the alleged scammers, who targeted primarily older residents.
Morgan and McNamara approached victims under the pretense of offering free repairs for minor issues they claimed to have noticed. However, instead of legitimate work, they allegedly planted worms under shingles and then convinced homeowners that immediate repairs were necessary. This deception led some victims to write checks for work that was never performed, while others were left with damaged roofs after forcing the duo to leave.
Ford expressed disbelief at having fallen for the scam, stating, “It is still hard for me to believe I fell victim to it.” The initial report by CBS News Colorado revealed at least three targeted homes, but as awareness grew, the problem was found to be much more widespread.
After Morgan and McNamara were identified by investigators, they were arrested just before boarding a flight to Dublin. Ford praised law enforcement for their quick action, stating, “I believe, were it not for the news story, this probably would not have gotten the attention it did.”
Both men now face serious charges, and prosecutors suspect they may have committed similar scams in other states, including California. Community members have stepped up, with local roofing companies offering free repairs to the victims, providing some relief from the financial burden caused by the alleged fraud. Ford noted that his roof is set to be repaired shortly, thanks to the goodwill of these businesses.