Slidell - A state senator is talking about the possibility of jail time for anyone who deliberately sold defective drywall to storm victims. That tough talk from Senator A.G. Crowe comes as more nervous homeowners come forward with horror stories. The list now includes a contractor who worries he might have un-knowingly contaminated his own home.
Shawn Macomber bought a house in Palm Lake Subdivision after Katrina and did the renovations himself.
"It was our dream house. We were on the water. We were where we wanted to be," Macomber said.
Macomber repaired dozens of homes after katrina, but his was the only one where chinese drywall was used. The contractor said drywall was hard to come by in those days. He saw a sign advertising chinese drywall for $10.00 and bought enough for his home.Even before the drywall was installed Macomber says it had an odor. In the two years since, his electrical wires are corroding, and the smell in his home signals sulfur compounds.
He believes his 13 month old son's health problems are a result. Senator A.G. Crowe says there are consumer protection laws on the books that may protect homeowners who believe they are victims, but he's pushing for tougher penalties.
Crowe says if defective drywall is intentionally sold to an unsuspecting homeowner, the penalty should be jail time and fines.
