Richard Cordray (D)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-- Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray's office last year received a record number of complaints, the Democrat said.
In all, Cordray's office received 30,259 consumer complaints, up 20 percent over the office's 2008 numbers.
Most of complaints filed with the office related to car sales and repairs, collections and credit services, home repairs and Internet and phone services.
"Last year was extremely challenging financially for many Ohioans," Cordray said in a statement. "We're counting our pennies and weighing each purchase. There is no tolerance for companies that fail to deliver on their promises. Ohio consumers have had enough, and we're seeing them speak out in numbers we haven't seen in the past."
Through the office's complaint resolution process and legal action, nearly $7 million in consumer restitution, civil penalties, costs and other relief was generated last year, the AG's statement said.
"It is our priority to ensure that Ohio consumers are treated fairly and have recourse from deceptive practices," Cordray said. "In 2009, largely in answer to consumer complaints, we filed 37 cases against companies that were taking advantage of Ohioans."
Cordray took office last year as state attorney general. He is the former state treasurer.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.