CLEVELAND — A Wisconsin-based insurance company has filed a federal lawsuit against a Northeast Ohio roofing contractor, claiming negligence and breach of contract after a fire heavily damaged St. Theodosius Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood in 2024.

The lawsuit, filed August 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, names Forest Roofing LLC of Broadview Heights as the defendant.

Church Mutual, the insurer of St. Theodosius, says it has already paid $3 million toward repairs and expects to pay as much as $9 million more before the project is complete. The insurer is seeking more than $3 million in damages from Forest Roofing.

Cathedral Dean Jan Cizmar says the 113-year-old building remains gutted and is filled with scaffolding, while parishio

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