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United States of America v. Louis Grant Peterson
Date: 12-19-2025
Case Number: 25-cr-00056
Judge: Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger
Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (Polk County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Des Moines
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Des Moines Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Des Moines, Iowa, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with making false declarations in a bankruptcy proceeding.
Louis Grant Peterson, also known as “Chip Peterson,” 61, was the former owner of Legacy Siding and Windows, an exterior construction company based in Ankeny. While operating that company, Peterson engaged in a pattern of taking customer deposits—hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth—and not completing work as promised. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he spent the victims’ money on “gambling” and “irresponsible spending.” Peterson had been criminally prosecuted for similar conduct in the past, including a 2024 conviction for theft in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County in which Peterson received a more than $50,000 down payment and then failed to complete the work.
After accumulating nearly $1 million in unsecured debt, Peterson filed for bankruptcy. In those bankruptcy proceedings, Peterson lied about his employment, businesses, income, bank accounts, tools, equipment, electronics, and jewelry, among other things. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he had “no idea” where he got the numbers he claimed as income. Peterson further admitted that he had not paid taxes for several years.
Even after being federally indicted, Peterson accepted a $17,000 deposit for a window installation that he never completed. He eventually paid the money back after the victims filed a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Lubben prosecuted the case.
Louis Grant Peterson, also known as “Chip Peterson,” 61, was the former owner of Legacy Siding and Windows, an exterior construction company based in Ankeny. While operating that company, Peterson engaged in a pattern of taking customer deposits—hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth—and not completing work as promised. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he spent the victims’ money on “gambling” and “irresponsible spending.” Peterson had been criminally prosecuted for similar conduct in the past, including a 2024 conviction for theft in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County in which Peterson received a more than $50,000 down payment and then failed to complete the work.
After accumulating nearly $1 million in unsecured debt, Peterson filed for bankruptcy. In those bankruptcy proceedings, Peterson lied about his employment, businesses, income, bank accounts, tools, equipment, electronics, and jewelry, among other things. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he had “no idea” where he got the numbers he claimed as income. Peterson further admitted that he had not paid taxes for several years.
Even after being federally indicted, Peterson accepted a $17,000 deposit for a window installation that he never completed. He eventually paid the money back after the victims filed a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Lubben prosecuted the case.
Louis Grant Peterson, also known as “Chip Peterson,” 61, was the former owner of Legacy Siding and Windows, an exterior construction company based in Ankeny. While operating that company, Peterson engaged in a pattern of taking customer deposits—hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth—and not completing work as promised. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he spent the victims’ money on “gambling” and “irresponsible spending.” Peterson had been criminally prosecuted for similar conduct in the past, including a 2024 conviction for theft in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County in which Peterson received a more than $50,000 down payment and then failed to complete the work.
After accumulating nearly $1 million in unsecured debt, Peterson filed for bankruptcy. In those bankruptcy proceedings, Peterson lied about his employment, businesses, income, bank accounts, tools, equipment, electronics, and jewelry, among other things. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he had “no idea” where he got the numbers he claimed as income. Peterson further admitted that he had not paid taxes for several years.
Even after being federally indicted, Peterson accepted a $17,000 deposit for a window installation that he never completed. He eventually paid the money back after the victims filed a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Lubben prosecuted the case.
Louis Grant Peterson, also known as “Chip Peterson,” 61, was the former owner of Legacy Siding and Windows, an exterior construction company based in Ankeny. While operating that company, Peterson engaged in a pattern of taking customer deposits—hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth—and not completing work as promised. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he spent the victims’ money on “gambling” and “irresponsible spending.” Peterson had been criminally prosecuted for similar conduct in the past, including a 2024 conviction for theft in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County in which Peterson received a more than $50,000 down payment and then failed to complete the work.
After accumulating nearly $1 million in unsecured debt, Peterson filed for bankruptcy. In those bankruptcy proceedings, Peterson lied about his employment, businesses, income, bank accounts, tools, equipment, electronics, and jewelry, among other things. Peterson later admitted to the FBI that he had “no idea” where he got the numbers he claimed as income. Peterson further admitted that he had not paid taxes for several years.
Even after being federally indicted, Peterson accepted a $17,000 deposit for a window installation that he never completed. He eventually paid the money back after the victims filed a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Lubben prosecuted the case.
Outcome:
The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Louis Grant Peterson?
The outcome was: The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 3 years in prison.
Which court heard United States of America v. Louis Grant Peterson?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (Polk County), IA. The presiding judge was Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Louis Grant Peterson?
Plaintiff's attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office in Des Moines. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Des Moines Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Louis Grant Peterson decided?
This case was decided on December 19, 2025.