Blue
December 16th, 2009, 07:39 PM
Attorney general files suit against local contractor
By SEAN ADKINS
Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 12/04/2009 11:09:25 PM EST
The Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection has filed a civil lawsuit against a local contractor accused of, among other things, accepting payment from customers and failing to perform any the work.
Richard Wells of 6764 Lincoln Highway in Thomasville, operating as Richard Wells Blacktop Paving and Richard Wells Paving in York County, didn't start projects in a timely manner, failed to complete projects and performed work in a shoddy or unsatisfactory manner, said Tom Corbett, the state's attorney general, in a statement.
Also, Wells didn't inform his customers of their three-day right to cancel a contract.
Efforts to reach Wells were unsuccessful Friday.
Along with Wells, the bureau filed suit against Harvey F. Kemmerling Jr. of Harrisburg for not registering as a home improvement contractor with the attorney general's Office, as required by state law.
While Wells is registered as a contractor with Corbett's office, he proceeded to collect deposits on projects that were larger than allowed by state law.
For example, in July, Wells collected a 77 percent down payment from a homeowner, according to the lawsuit.
Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, deposits are limited to no more than one-third of the contract price.
Corbett's lawsuit against Wells is seeking restitution for victimized customers with civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation, or penalties of up to $3,000 for each violation involving a senior citizen.
Also, suit requests the York County Court of Common Pleas to prohibit Wells from conducting business in the state until all consumer restitution, refunds, civil penalties and court costs have been paid.
sadkins@ydr.com;
By SEAN ADKINS
Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 12/04/2009 11:09:25 PM EST
The Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection has filed a civil lawsuit against a local contractor accused of, among other things, accepting payment from customers and failing to perform any the work.
Richard Wells of 6764 Lincoln Highway in Thomasville, operating as Richard Wells Blacktop Paving and Richard Wells Paving in York County, didn't start projects in a timely manner, failed to complete projects and performed work in a shoddy or unsatisfactory manner, said Tom Corbett, the state's attorney general, in a statement.
Also, Wells didn't inform his customers of their three-day right to cancel a contract.
Efforts to reach Wells were unsuccessful Friday.
Along with Wells, the bureau filed suit against Harvey F. Kemmerling Jr. of Harrisburg for not registering as a home improvement contractor with the attorney general's Office, as required by state law.
While Wells is registered as a contractor with Corbett's office, he proceeded to collect deposits on projects that were larger than allowed by state law.
For example, in July, Wells collected a 77 percent down payment from a homeowner, according to the lawsuit.
Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, deposits are limited to no more than one-third of the contract price.
Corbett's lawsuit against Wells is seeking restitution for victimized customers with civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation, or penalties of up to $3,000 for each violation involving a senior citizen.
Also, suit requests the York County Court of Common Pleas to prohibit Wells from conducting business in the state until all consumer restitution, refunds, civil penalties and court costs have been paid.
sadkins@ydr.com;