Timothy Hammond, a Benton roofing contractor, has been named in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Lisa Madigan Monday alleging he scammed consumers out of more than $12,000.

Filed in Franklin County Circuit Court, the lawsuit states that Hammond was running a roofing business through three Benton companies, Centamark, Kwik Seal and Allied Roofing. The complaint claims Hammond solicited roof repair contracts and collected payments but failed to begin the repair work, to complete it and in other instances to perform the work in "a competent and professional manner."

"We will continue to work to protect Illinois consumers from contractors who fail to do a complete and professional job," Madigan said. "Promising to perform a service to get the consumer to sign a contract and then failing to deliver on the promises is a violation of the consumer protection laws and will be prosecuted."

The lawsuit states that the Consumer Fraud Bureau investigated Hammond and his businesses based on five consumer complaints. The lawsuit details one of numerous complaints alleging Hammond entered into a contract for $3,800 to roof a Franklin County residence. Hammond then received a down payment of $1,900 but failed to return to even start the job.

The person who entered into the contract sent a certified letter to Hammond demanding the down payment back, but the Benton contractor refused to return the money or to do the work, the suit alleges.

The lawsuit charges Hammond with consumer fraud and deceptive practices.

The lawsuit also alleges Hammond failed to provide homeowners with a verbal and written notice of their legal rights to cancel contracts, failed to obtain and maintain a roofing license and failed to provide consumers with copies of the "Home Repair: Know your Consumer Rights" pamphlet required under state law for contracts more than $500.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims Hammond failed to carry adequate insurance and also failed to register the names of Centamark, Kwik Seal and Allied Roofing with the county clerks where the businesses operated.

The lawsuit asks the court to ban Hammond from engaging in home repair and to make him pay restitution. The lawsuit also seeks a civil penalty of $50,000 and additional penalties of $50,000 for each violation that was committed with the intent to defraud.