A lawsuit has been filed by the Ohio Attorney General’s office today against the operators of a home improvement outfit accused of failing to deliver promised services to consumers across the state, including Montgomery County.
John Lee Chapman and Trena White, both doing business as Home Investment Time Inc., are accused of taking thousands of dollars from consumers in advance, and then leaving them with incomplete or shoddy work, according to Ohio Attorney General DeWine.
“In some cases, they hired subcontractors and paid them just enough to start the work, but then stopped paying them. We want to put an end to the deceptive practices and help consumers recover their money,” DeWine said in a release.
The defendants allegedly operated under numerous business names, including Home Investment Time, U.S. Design Flooring, Home Investments, Chapman Home Improvements, Any Home Repairs and Remodeling, Remodel 4 Less Inc., Home Investment World Inc., All Home Repairs, Home Investor Deals, Home Cosmetics Time Inc., Chapman Home Renovations Inc., Home Repairs on Credit, Home Repair World, and Home QI Inc.
At least 10 consumers from Lorain, Montgomery, Erie, Lucas, or Mahoning counties have filed complaints alleging losses totaling more than $14,000, but investigators believe additional consumers may be affected, DeWine’s office said.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants advertised home remodeling services in Ohio newspapers and on Craigslist. They required customers to make upfront payments before work could begin. After paying, some consumers were left with partially completed projects; others were left with nothing at all.
Consumers who have problems with a home improvement purchase or other consumer transaction should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or (800) 282-0515.
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.
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