St. Louis County, MO — Matthew J. Laiben, a resident of Washington County, Missouri, has been charged with stealing after allegedly defrauding homeowners who hired him to perform roofing work. The St. Louis County Police Department has issued a criminal summons for Laiben, who is accused of accepting payment for services he never completed.
According to the probable cause statement filed by the police, the victims hired Laiben, believing he was an employee of Conner Roofing, to fix the roof on their home. On August 2, 2023, the homeowners issued checks totaling $7,215.86 for the agreed-upon roofing work. However, Laiben never began the job and continually made excuses for delays when the victims sought updates.
After months of waiting, the homeowners sent a certified 10-day notice to Laiben on October 25, 2023, demanding he begin the work. When interviewed by police in May 2024, Laiben allegedly admitted to receiving and cashing the checks, despite not providing any roofing services.
As a result, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Laiben with one count of stealing in an amount of $750 or more. Laiben has been ordered to appear in court on December 17, 2024 to face the charges.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of home improvement fraud, where unscrupulous individuals exploit homeowners seeking repairs and renovations. Authorities urge consumers to always verify contractors and service providers before handing over payment.
