EVANSVILLE, Ind. — The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Jacob and Brooklyn Key, owners of Keys Contracting, on allegations of home improvement fraud.
The investigation centered on contracts made with several Vanderburgh County residents seeking repairs for storm damage sustained around April 2. The victims reported substantial damage to their homes caused by fallen trees, prompting them to make significant down payments to Keys Contracting, totaling over $178,000.
While some repairs were completed, the quality of the work was reported as inadequate, with at least one instance violating the Indiana Building Code. Authorities noted that work began before the necessary building permits and insurance authorization were obtained, which hindered proper inspections by the Evansville Vanderburgh Building Commission.
As a result, the victims now face the additional burden of hiring legitimate contractors to rectify the faulty repairs and complete the necessary work on their homes.
The Building Commission is currently assisting in reviewing Keys Contracting’s license status and the work performed on the affected properties. In addition to filing police reports for fraud, each victim has initiated civil lawsuits against Keys Contracting.
Jacob and Brooklyn Key were booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on fraud charges on Friday but have since been released on bond.
Sheriff Noah Robinson stated, “The Keys exploited homeowners in vulnerable situations, preying on their urgent need for assistance. My office is committed to taking a strong stance against those who break the law to profit from the misfortunes of others.”