Charges: Former Rochester Roofer Swindled Thousands from Customer

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office has filed felony charges against a former Rochester roofer accused of swindling a customer out of nearly $6,000. 

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The criminal complaint filed Tuesday indicates the alleged scam happened in May of this year. The victim told Rochester Police that he wrote a $5,815.80 check to Interstate roofing but was then told the company had been sold and that he had to write a new check. 

The victim identified the individual he dealt with as 38-year-old Christopher Edward Rosenberg of Rochester. The complaint says the victim showed an investigator a text message conversation in which Rosenberg said, “Interstate roofing company sold last Friday and check should be written to the order of C&K Services which is the new name no longer interstate after sale of company. LMK when I can come by and pick it up. Thank you sir!” 

A manager at Interstate Roofing told investigators that the company never merged with or was bought out by C&K Services and that Rosenberg was no longer with the company after he quit following a falling out with management. The interview with the manager occurred after Rosenberg had cashed the victim’s second check, the charges say. 

The investigator checked records from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office and found that Rosenberg was listed as the name holder of C&K Services. A search warrant for bank records found Rosenberg had deposited the $5,815.80 check into C&K Services' account, according to the complaint. 

Police had also obtained a doorbell video camera recording of the victim handing Rosenberg the second check and security footage from the bank where Rosenberg cashed the victim’s second check, the court document says. 

Rosenberg has been charged with felony and theft by swindle. He’s due to make his first court appearance in January.

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