Chicago —(ENEWSPF)—January 20, 2016. Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a lawsuit against the owner of a Franklin County home repair business for cheating southern Illinois residents out of more than $127,000 for work that was either substandard or never performed.
Attorney General Madigan filed the lawsuit in the Circuit Court for the 2nd Judicial Circuit in Franklin County against Robert Hartley of Buckner, doing business as Hartley and French Roofing and Hartley’s Contracting. The lawsuit accuses Hartley of violating the state’s Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Home Repair and Remodeling Act.
According to Madigan’s lawsuit, Hartley solicited residents by going door-to-door offering roofing and other repair services. Madigan is alleging that Hartley cheated consumers by performing work that was shoddy or incomplete. The lawsuit also states Hartley did not have the mandatory roofing license required by the state.
“Home repair scams are some of the most frequent complaints my office receives,” Madigan said. “Consumers should ask to see contractors’ credentials and licenses before signing contracts or handing over any money, and always be wary of contractors who go door-to-door offering repair services.”
Attorney General Madigan’s office has received 17 complaints since 2015 against Hartley from consumers in Franklin and Hamilton counties who reported losses of $127,044.30. The Better Business Bureau also reported receiving service-related complaints involving Hartley and French Roofing. Attorney General Madigan is asking the court to prevent Hartley from doing business in Illinois. The lawsuit also seeks to nullify any contracts and require that Hartley pay restitution to consumers and civil penalties.
The Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office has also charged Hartley with four felonies, including home repair fraud, aggravated home repair fraud and two counts of theft.
Attorney General Madigan encouraged consumers who believe they may have been defrauded by Robert Hartley, Hartley and French Roofing or Hartley’s Contracting to file a consumer complaint through her website or to contact her office’s Consumer Fraud Hotline:
1-800-243-0618 (Springfield)
1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale)
Assistant Attorney General Richard Lewis is handling the case for Madigan’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.
Source: http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
