JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — A contractor from New Orleans faced at least four different fraud charges in Jefferson Parish, after a year-long investigation, JPSO said Friday.
Christopher Nicolais, 43, a prisoner in Jefferson Parish who had previously owned Cooper Roofing LLC, faced charges for contracting without a license, insurance fraud, extortion and injuring public records.
"Detectives began investigating Nicolais in early 2023," JPSO officials said on Friday. "During the investigation, detectives learned that Nicolais ... operated as an unlicensed and uninsured contractor in Jefferson Parish. Detectives received reports from victims accusing Nicolais of intentionally inflating insurance claims, not completing repairs and extorting money."
From New Orleans, Nicolais also has similar charges in other parts of the metro area and the 43-year-old inmate may face even more fraud charges within Jefferson Parish, according to JPSO
JPSO officials asked anyone who might have been a victim of Nicolais to call the office's Property Crimes Section at 504-364-5300.