August 27, 2009
 
Attorney General Corbett announces consumer protection lawsuit against Pittsburgh contractor 
 

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the filing of a consumer protection lawsuit against a Pittsburgh contractor accused of accepting payment for home improvement projects and failing to start work; leaving projects incomplete; performing work in a shoddy or unprofessional manner; not notifying consumers of their right to cancel contracts and operating an unregistered home improvement business.

Corbett said the civil lawsuit was filed by the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection against William M. Lacek, 244 Denny Park Road, Pittsburgh. Lacek operated under several business names including "Bill-Tom-Joe - Senior Carpenters," "Mike-Bill-Tom as Senior Carpenters" and "Mike-Bill-Joe as Senior Carpenters," of Pittsburgh.

"Using hand-delivered fliers, Lacek targeted homeowners throughout Allegheny County, including a large number of senior citizens, promising expert remodeling work at discount prices," Corbett said. "Instead, consumers were left with empty wallets, incomplete projects and a long list of broken promises."

In addition to failing to start work or leaving projects unfinished, Corbett said that Lacek is accused of using deceptive or misleading advertising to attract consumers, failing to provide consumers with their state-required 3-day notice to cancel contracts and performing home improvement work without registering with the Attorney General's Office.

Corbett noted that the Bureau of Consumer Protection has received 47 complaints concerning Lacek and his "Senior Carpenters" business. Additional consumers who wish to file complaints are urged to call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or file an online consumer complaint.

Corbett noted that Lacek was involved in a 2003 consumer settlement with the Office of Attorney General, involving another home improvement business where he was employed, along with a 2004 warning letter about potential violations of consumer protection laws. Additionally, Lacek's actions are the subject of private lawsuits and criminal charges in Allegheny County.

The consumer protection lawsuit was filed in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas by Deputy Attorney General Amy L. Schulman, from the Pittsburgh Regional Office of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Corbett encouraged all Pennsylvania homeowners who are considering home improvement projects to understand their rights and carefully review information about the state's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, which went into effect on July 1, 2009.

"This new law requires written contracts for all projects over $500, including specific information about the total price, a start-date and end-date, details about the materials being used and an explanation of a consumer's three-day right to cancel a contract," Corbett said. "The law also requires contractors to register with the Attorney General's Office, carry a minimum level of insurance and disclose past problems, including lawsuits, bankruptcies and other issues that may impact a consumer's selection of a particular business."

Corbett encouraged consumers to file formal complaints with the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection if they believe they have been targeted by deceptive advertising or high-pressure sales tactics, along with homeowners who encounter unregistered contractors. 

More information about the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act is available in the "Home Improvement - Consumer Information" section of the Attorney General's website. 

# # #