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Nov 29, 2006 11:22 pm US/Eastern
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Cops Charge 'Bogus' Hurricane Shutter Contractor
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
The victims of a hurricane shutter contractor, who allegedly ripped off more than two dozen Broward residents, cheered his arrest at the Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.
Jeffrey Ullman, 46, was in court for a bankruptcy hearing when detectives from the Broward Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit, arrested Ullman and charged him with 25 counts of grand theft and 25 counts of contracting without a license during a state of emergency for taking money from storm victims and giving them nothing in return.
The investigation was dubbed "Operation Shutter Down" and a large group of his victims was at the courthouse and cheered the arrest.
Detectives say Ullman, through his company, Clear View Hurricane Shutters, accepted deposits ranging from $797.44 to $11,190.68 to install plastic hurricane panels but never did the work.
Twenty-three victims lost over $97,000 in total.
The investigation also established that Ullman accepted the money and contracted for the work without being a valid licensed contractor.
Ullman was booked at BSO's main jail where he is being held without bond. The 50 counts are third degree felonies with each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The investigation is continuing because detectives believe there may be more than one hundred victims.
Anyone who believes that Ullman has victimized them should contact BSO Economic Crimes Unit Detectives John Murray or Brian McDonald at 954-321-4255.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)