Chicago–(ENEWSPF)–April 28, 2011. Attorney General Lisa Madigan today filed suit against a Bensenville company for scamming Illinois homeowners out of thousands of dollars for flood control work in their homes that was never completed.
Madigan’s lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges Eveready Flood Control and its president, Patrick Regan, of Roselle, defrauded consumers out of contracted work for installation of flood control systems. The Attorney General alleges Regan’s company completed little to none of the contracted services after consumers paid him down payments, in violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and Home Repair and Remodeling Act.
“With spring being a popular time to make home repairs, this lawsuit should serve as an important reminder for homeowners to thoroughly scrutinize a contractor before signing any agreements,” Attorney General Madigan said. “Request references and ask for estimates in writing. Check with trusted sources like my office’s Consumer Fraud Bureau and the Better Business Bureau.”
Madigan’s office previously obtained $3,000 in restitution for a Cook County consumer affected by Regan’s scam through mediation efforts by the Consumer Fraud Bureau. The Attorney General’s suit today seeks an additional $7,000 in restitution for other affected homeowners.
Madigan’s lawsuit also asks the court to prohibit the defendant from the home repair business in Illinois and cancel any pending contracts with consumers. The lawsuit also seeks to impose on the defendant a civil penalty of $50,000, additional penalties of $50,000 for each violation found to be committed with the intent to defraud, as well as $10,000 per violation found to be committed against a person 65 years or older.
Assistant Attorney General E. Paige Boggs is handling this case for Madigan’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.
Source: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
