Owner of Tulsa Metro Construction arrested on warrant concerning home repair fraud

Two Tulsa men are in custody in connection with a story the News on 6 first reported Friday. <br/><br/>Officers took Ollie Eddington, the owner of Tulsa Metro Construction and one of his employees Dan

Tuesday, May 11th 2004, 4:58 pm

By: News On 6

Two Tulsa men are in custody in connection with a story the News on 6 first reported Friday.

Officers took Ollie Eddington, the owner of Tulsa Metro Construction and one of his employees Dan Smith into custody on warrants concerning home repair fraud.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright interviewed a 90-year-old woman on Friday who paid nearly $50,000 for home repairs that another contractor said was worth much less than that. Eddington told us he guaranteed his work and would make it right.

However, Lori Fullbright has talked to a second woman, in her 80's, whose family believes she was overcharged for home repairs also made by Eddington's company. At least one independent contractor agrees with her and Tulsa Police say there was enough evidence to make the arrests.

News on 6 investigates this second claim of fraud.

"What really confirmed our worst fears is when we saw it on the news Friday night." Barbara was afraid her mother-in-law had been taken advantage of by a company called Tulsa Metro Construction.

The company charged $26,000 for some work at this home. "It was two different days and three checks and I think that's important because he asked her to write the checks for less than $10,000 specifically."

When Barbara saw the News on 6 story a few days earlier about a 90 year old woman who believed she was overcharged by the same company, she contacted the News on 6. We had asked highly recommended contractor Steve Koch to inspect the work at the first home and he estimated the woman was charged at least four times too much.

The News on 6 had the same expert come over and give us his professional opinion about what the work at the second home was worth.

He said far from the $26,000 that was charged, it was more likely a $3,000 to $4,000 dollar job. That's what Barbara and her husband already suspected when they saw the bill that listed a bunch of jobs but none of them was itemized. "He said he fixed all the rotten wood on the house, and yes he did, but it was about 12-18 inches long, but he made it seem like the whole house was rotten, but it wasn't.â€

Barbara says some of the work was done, like the paint on the garage doors and shutters, and some tree limbs were removed, but she says other things like the re-galvanized metal that the bill outlines, looks more like silver spray paint to her.

Lori Fullbright talked with Ollie Eddington's attorney Tuesday afternoon and he told her, Tulsa Metro Construction has been a member of the Better Business Bureau since 1993 and had no complaints on file.

He also pointed out contractors have no set fee and estimates can vary widely on price, he felt this situation is that, rather than a case of fraud.

Barbara told the News on 6, Ollie Eddington called her mother in law this weekend, offering to make good on the work if she didn't file charges. She plans to file a complaint with the BBB.