Wilmer Maldonado mugshot photo by Polk County Sheriff’s Office
In the wake of Hurricane Milton’s devastation, Polk County authorities have arrested Wilmer Maldonado, owner of WM Roofing, for operating without a license and failing to provide workers’ compensation insurance. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest, praising the swift action of his fraud detectives.
“Huge kudos to our DFAST detectives for upholding the law, protecting consumers, and making this arrest,” he was quoted as saying, in part.
Maldonado was caught by the Disaster Fraud Action Strike Team (DFAST), which has been patrolling storm-hit areas, hunting down illegitimate contractors looking to exploit homeowners.
Maldonado allegedly advertised roof repair services on Facebook, securing a $5,000 deposit from a local homeowner. Maldonado then hired unskilled laborers from a Home Depot parking lot, paying them a mere $200 in cash to fix the roof—a dangerous shortcut that could have left the homeowner in a precarious situation.
CFO Jimmy Patronis did not hold back in his condemnation of fraudulent contractors.
“As Floridians begin to recover from these major storms, my fraud detectives will continue to be on the lookout for suspicious or unlicensed contractors looking to make a quick buck off of homeowners in vulnerable states of mind.”
Authorities also discovered that Maldonado used a licensed roofer’s credentials to obtain permits, although the licensed contractor had no involvement in the actual work. An investigation into this incident is now underway.
Patronis urged Floridians to stay vigilant, warning that unlicensed contractors often swoop in after disasters, hoping to cash in on desperate homeowners. “If anyone comes to your door asking you to sign something, DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING,” he stressed, reminding homeowners of the newly launched Check My Contract portal to help them avoid being duped by fraudulent contracts.
Maldonado now faces serious consequences, with up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Floridians are encouraged to report any suspicious activity by visiting FraudFreeFlorida.com.