Attorney General Koster files suit against St. Louis man for violating order to stay out of home-remodeling business
St. Louis, MO – June 19, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Chris Koster today filed a motion for criminal and civil contempt against a St. Louis man who has engaged in the home-remodeling business despite being barred in 1999 from having any responsibilities for a business that engages in home-remodeling activities or from owning or acting in a supervisory role in the home repair/remodeling business.
The Attorney General said Jeffrey Wolfson started another home repair/remodeling business called Home Centers America in 2008, despite being forever banned in 1999 from owning or acting in a supervisory role in the home repair/remodeling business. Wolfson was found guilty of violating the 1999 injuction in 2000 and was sentenced to five years in prison.
According to the Attorney General, Wolfson has solicited home-remodeling or repair business from at least three individuals since starting Home Centers America. Koster said in two of the cases Wolfson collected money up-front, but either failed to start or failed to complete the work. In the third case Wolfson completed the work but caused extensive damage to the surrounding property.
“It is outrageous that Jeffrey Wolfson flagrantly disregards the law and the courts,” Koster said. “Jeffrey Wolfson is knowingly deceiving and stealing from his customers and we are taking all measures to keep him from doing this again,” Koster said.
The Attorney General is asking a judge to order Wolfson to appear before the court to answer the contempt charges. The Attorney General is seeking appropriate punishment for Wolfson, including imprisonment, monetary fines and restitution.
Koster encourages any consumers who have had problems with Home Centers America to contact his Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or online at ago.mo.gov.
Inquiries from consumers should be directed to 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).
All media inquiries should be directed to the Communications Office.
Phone: 573-751-8844 Fax: 573-751-5818
