Unlicensed contractors targeted by N.D. AG

BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued cease and desist orders on Tuesday against seven unlicensed contractors for allegedly violating state consumer fraud laws.

Kenny Huffstutler and Jessica Huffstutler, doing business as BCS Fence & Services LLC, Thomas Dohleman, doing business as Tom's Painting, Ryan Dalbec, doing business as Dalbec Property Management Inc., Jaymason Bottin, doing business as J2 Roofing & General Contracting, Thomas Zimmerle, doing business as From Old To New Construction, Ed McDonald, doing business as Asphalt Seal Coating and E. McDonald Seal Coatin, and Michael Knudson, doing business as MLK Construction, allegedly violated North Dakota's consumer fraud laws. The orders issued on Tuesday ban the contractors from doing any business in the state of North Dakota.

Stenehjem's Consumer Protection Division received consumer complaints alleging the contractors failed to start or complete projects for which the consumers made advanced payments. None of the seven contractors had the required state licenses. All seven contractors allegedly failed to cooperate with the Consumer Protection Division.

"Never put down any money until you have made sure the contractor is properly licensed," Stenehjem said. "Hiring an unlicensed contractor may prove to be very expensive as it is extremely difficult to recover money once they have fled the state."

Criminal charges are pending against Thomas Dohleman and Thomas Zimmerle. Zimmerle allegedly took $136,000 to build a home and failed to do any work or deliver any materials.