HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced a lawsuit against an Alabama driveway paving company owner on claims that he sold defective driveway paving services to unsuspecting consumers in Northwestern Pennsylvania from at least 2015 through October 2017.
Timmy L. Jeffery traveled into Northwestern Pennsylvania to sell driveway paving services through his Alabama company, Roadway Blacktop. Jeffery frequently approached senior citizens in their yards or homes to pressure them into buying his asphalt driveway paving services on the spot. Jeffery often told unsuspecting consumers he could offer them a “good deal” because he was performing work for a neighbor and had asphalt in his truck that he needed to use. He also utilized mailbox flyers to solicit other unwitting customers.
“This individual scammed several Pennsylvanians who thought they were paying for a quality asphalt driveway — only to find that they had been ripped off and received a shoddy, unstable, and unattractive paving job that was done without regard to industry standards,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “Jeffery counted on the fact that many of the people he was scamming were senior citizens who may not be able to track him down in Alabama to obtain justice. This behavior is against the law and my Bureau of Consumer Protection will do everything necessary to obtain justice and restitution for the affected consumers.”
Jeffery charged thousands of dollars for his services, but the paving work was defective and not in accord with industry standards. Shortly after the work was performed, consumers experienced peeling, cracking, thin, and uneven asphalt, weeds growing through the asphalt and pools of water on their driveways, among other defects.
The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has received complaints regarding Jeffery from over 10 consumers in the past two years. The Better Business Bureau also reported they have received complaints against Jeffery. Customers who tried to contact Jeffery to get their money back or have their driveway repaired were never successful. Roadway Blacktop solicited and obtained customers in Warren, Venango, and Clarion counties, among other locations.
Kurt and Jayne Martin, of Russell, PA, were scammed out of over $19,000 by Jeffery:
“We contracted with Timmy Jeffrey in August 2017 for driveway paving and resurfacing, because he told us he was doing work for our neighbors and claimed his work would be less expensive. After he finished the work, the paving quickly developed multiple drainage problems and deterioration of the top surface. This was definitely not the work for which we paid $19,750. One of the major problems with his shoddy work is water running into our garage when it rains because of the flaws in the asphalt. He did come back after we complained— but did not fix the mess he created. We are thankful to Attorney General Josh Shapiro and his Bureau of Consumer Protection for stepping up to protect consumers like us and taking legal action against these defendants and their fraudulent actions.”
The lawsuit by Attorney General Shapiro’s office demands that Jeffery pay restitution, believed to be in excess of $100,000, to consumers who suffered losses as a result of this conduct, $1,000 in civil penalties for each violation of the Consumer Protection Law and $3,000 for each violation involving a consumer 60 or older. The suit also asks the court to enter an order permanently stopping Jeffery from owning or operating any home improvement business in Pennsylvania.
“If you believe you have been victimized by Timmy Jeffery directly or in the name of Roadway Blacktop, or by any other driveway paving company, call 800-441-2555 or email scams@attorneygeneral.gov to file a complaint,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “We will work to get you the justice and restitution you deserve.”
The lawsuit was filed in Erie County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Susan Apel.
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