Schneiderman suing JRJ Contracting over home improvement sales

BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a lawsuit on Thursday against a New York home improvement contractor who allegedly defrauded consumers by accepting payments for work he never performed.

Justin Jerge, doing business as JRJ Contracting, allegedly collected thousands of dollars for home repairs he never provided or for supplies he never ordered. He also allegedly performed shoddy work when he did complete home repairs.

"With more and more New Yorkers making improvements to their homes this season, unsuspecting homeowners can easily fall prey to unscrupulous contractors," Schneiderman said. "My office will continue to seek out dishonest contractors who defraud innocent New Yorkers and ensure they're held accountable."

In one alleged instance, Jerge took more than $50,000 from the parents of a disabled adult who were seeking home improvements to let them keep their daughter in their home. Jerge allegedly failed to complete the work as promised. The work he did complete was allegedly shoddy.

Schneiderman obtained a temporary restraining order against Jerge, freezing his bank accounts and prohibiting him from accepting advance payments from consumers.

Schneiderman's lawsuit is seeking a court order to ban Jerge from the home improvement industry unless he posts a $200,000 bond. The suit also seeks refunds for consumers and the payment of civil penalties.