CONTRIBUTED ARTICLE

Two Bucks County men have been charged with corrupt organizations, insurance fraud and other offenses in an undercover investigation into insurance claims made for alleged hail damage to Lehigh County homes.

Marcin Porzkowski, 35, of Quakertown, and Dominik Sadowski, 34, of Sellersville, were charged April 29, 2011, with corrupt organizations, a first-degree felony, corrupt organizations for allegedly conspiring with each other, a first-degree felony; and insurance fraud, criminal mischief and theft by deception, all third-degree felonies.

Porzkowski is awaiting arraignment in the Lehigh County Central Booking Center.

Sadowski is being held in the Burlington County, N.J., jail and is awaiting extradition.

An affidavit of probable cause filed by the Lehigh County Auto Theft and Insurance Fraud Task Force alleges:

Task Force detectives received numerous complaints from home owners, contractors and the insurance industry from April 2009 to 2011 about questionable tactics used by roofing/siding contractors who claimed hail had caused damage to homes in Lehigh County.

The investigation determined representatives from Precision Builders were canvassing neighborhoods claiming homes had been damaged in a hail storm and advising home owners they could get new siding and roofing at no cost. Pamphlets said Precision Builders would cover a home owner's deductible if a Precision Builders sign was placed in the yard.

Representatives of the company left a list of references of "satisfied customers." A home owner told the Task Force his address was on the list but he had never had work performed by Precision Builders.

Numerous home owners told investigators they were not aware they had any damage to their homes before being solicited by Precision Builders.

The investigation determined after home owners filed claims with their insurance companies, an inspector from Precision Builders would visit the homes before adjusters arrived to mark alleged hail damage so the adjuster could pinpoint it.

Surveillance showed during inspections at homes in Lower Macungie and Salisbury townships, inspectors used a tool to create damage to residences. An investigation determined Sadowski and Porzkowski instructed inspectors how to create damage to siding to make it appear as though it had been caused by hail so that Precision Builders could charge home owners' insurance companies to replace the siding.

Adjusters with insurance companies told detectives damage to homes was inconsistent with hail damage.

The investigation determined more than 100 homes may have been intentionally damaged.

Task Force detectives alleged documents were filed through Precision Builders and Eastern Contracting had an agreement to do work on homes. Porzkowski was identified as the owner of Eastern Contracting and the individual who would provide payroll to several inspectors. Sadowski allegedly would perform "inspections," prepare homes for adjuster appointments and get measurements from other inspectors to prepare estimates.

Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin said the investigation is continuing.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau, multiple insurance carriers, the State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Division of Criminal Justice and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office assisted in the investigation.

As in every criminal case, the fact an arrest has occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendants, Dominik Sadowski and Marcin Porzkowski, are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.