Storm Chasers or Storm Scammers? Florida Sues Evolve Construction Over Alleged Hurricane Repair Fraud

Published Oct. 1, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

On Sept. 25, 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against Evolve Construction, LLC, Evolve Construction & Restoration, Inc., and six principals and officers, alleging unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable practices against homeowners who needed roof and mold work after Hurricanes Ian and Milton [1]. At least 80 consumers across 11 counties complained; more than 60% were seniors; consumers alleged paying more than $1 million for work they did not receive as promised [1].

Important: This is a civil lawsuit. The companies and individuals named have not been convicted of a crime in this action and are presumed not to have violated the law unless and until a court finds otherwise.

How the alleged scheme worked

1. Door-knock after the storm. The complaint alleges defendants solicited homeowners at home immediately after the storms, offering “free” roof inspections and holding salespeople out as “experts,” even though some representatives were not licensed contractors and lacked required home-solicitation sale permits [1].
2. Big promises. They allegedly promised expedited permits, fast timelines, and the best possible insurance settlement [1].
3. Take the insurance check. Many insurance payments ranged from $5,000 to $80,000 per property; the state alleges defendants often collected those funds in full while leaving work unfinished or never started [1].
4. Harsh contracts. Consumers were allegedly required to sign a “Contingency Agreement” that failed to provide a good-faith itemized estimate, omitted required cancellation language, imposed an unlawful cancellation penalty recharacterized as “liquidated damages,” and functioned as an unlawful assignment of insurance benefits [1].
5. Refuse refunds; threaten liens. When consumers tried to cancel or get refunds for work never performed, defendants allegedly refused; some received partial or poor-quality work that failed inspections. The complaint also alleges threats of liens, recorded liens (sometimes for inaccurate amounts), and foreclosure pursuits even when no work or materials were provided, plus in-person payment collection that left some consumers feeling physically threatened [1].

“These companies knocked on doors after the storms, promised fast repairs, took insurance money, and left Florida families with unfinished homes and liens on their property,” Uthmeier said. “More than 60 percent of the consumers who complained to our office are seniors.” [1]

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie S. Griffin said administrative prosecutions produced 12 final orders against Ahmed Darkawi, the loss of his license, and an opportunity for affected homeowners to help recover funds [1].

The companies and people sued

Both corporate defendants are Naples-based: Evolve Construction, LLC (organized 2021) and Evolve Construction & Restoration, Inc. (formed 2023). The individual defendants named in the complaint are [1]:

• Patrick Antoine of Lee County, Florida — authorized member of Evolve Construction, LLC; secretary of Evolve Construction & Restoration, Inc.
• Ahmed Darkawi of Hennepin County, Minnesota — original registered agent, authorized person, and former manager of Evolve Construction, LLC
• Jarret Gross of Martin County, Florida — authorized member of Evolve Construction, LLC
• Aleksandr Guldshtadt, also known as Alex Gold, of Los Angeles County, California — former CEO of Evolve Construction & Restoration, Inc.; former authorized member, registered agent, and manager of Evolve Construction, LLC
• John Vincent of Los Angeles County, California — manager of Evolve Construction, LLC
• Jaser “Jay” Zaabri of Los Angeles County, California — manager of Evolve Construction, LLC; CFO of Evolve Construction & Restoration, Inc.

The complaint was filed in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in Lee County under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The state seeks an injunction, restitution, disgorgement, civil penalties, and attorney’s fees [1].

Red flags

• Unsolicited door-knockers right after a hurricane offering free inspections.
• Salespeople who cannot show a current Florida contractor license and home-solicitation permit.
• Pressure to sign over insurance proceeds or “assignment of benefits” on the spot.
• Contracts without itemized estimates or clear cancellation rights.
• Threats of liens for work that never started.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Verify the contractor’s license at the Florida DBPR website before signing anything.
2. Do not hand over a full insurance check up front; use a reputable escrow or progress-payment schedule.
3. Get multiple written bids and check references.
4. File a complaint with the Florida Attorney General at MyFloridaLegal.com or 1-866-9-NO-SCAM, and with DBPR [1].
5. Report patterns to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Case status (as of Oct. 1, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 1, 2026	Source
Evolve Construction, LLC; Evolve Construction & Restoration, Inc.	20th Judicial Circuit, Lee County, Fla.	Civil defendants under FDUTPA	[1]
Patrick Antoine; Ahmed Darkawi; Jarret Gross; Aleksandr Guldshtadt (aka Alex Gold); John Vincent; Jaser “Jay” Zaabri	Same	Civil defendants; allegations unadjudicated	[1]
Ahmed Darkawi (DBPR)	Administrative	12 final orders; license loss (per DBPR)	[1]

Civil allegations are not criminal convictions. Statuses can change.

Sources

1. Office of the Attorney General of Florida, “Attorney General James Uthmeier Files Consumer Protection Lawsuit Against Evolve Construction and Its Principals for Preying on Florida Hurricane Victims,” Sept. 25, 2026. https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/attorney-general-james-uthmeier-files-consumer-protection-lawsuit-against-evolve

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