Miller
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced on Wednesday that a Polk County District Court judge has ordered an Omaha, Neb., business and its owner to comply with a subpoena.
Miller subpoenaed Mark Schneidewind, the president of NationWide Construction Inc., also doing business in Omaha as Midwest Renovations and Midwest Restorations, seeking information about the company's business practices.
Judge Richard G. Blaine, II, also prohibited the contractor from doing business in Iowa until he fully complies with the May 27, 2010, Consumer Protection Division-issued subpoena.
Miller alleges that the defendants failed to provide services following payment, gave substandard services and made misrepresentations in addition to violating Iowa's Door-to-Door Sales Act.
Additionally, they allegedly engaged in business in Iowa without being registered contractors with the Iowa Workforce Development, avoided and delayed responses to inquiries by the division and misrepresented NationWide Construction as a member of the Better Business Bureau. According to the BBB, NationWide was given an "F" rating by consumers and the company is not a member of the organization.
As part of the June 14 court order, the defendants must appear and provide complete information to Miller. Until that time, they are prohibited from offering or selling any merchandise or services, accepting or attempting to collect any payments in Iowa, and advertising.
The defendants are required to pay for the costs of the lawsuit and $14,430 for investigative costs. The court may fine them up to $5,000 a day for each day they are in violation of the order and may find them in contempt of the court order which could result in additional financial penalties and jail time.