TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a settlement on Wednesday with a hurricane shelter company and its principal for nearly $790,000.
Rolladen Inc. and its principal, Robert Hoffman, must pay full refunds to Florida consumers within 90 days under terms of the settlement. They are also forbidden from selling or marketing the installation of hurricane windows or shutters for at least one year.
"Our primary focus was to get the consumers' deposits returned to them and protect future clients from similar false promises," Bondi said. "My office is continually investigating companies to stop deceptive practices, and we encourage consumers to contact us immediately if they feel they have been victimized."
Bondi alleged that Rolladen required consumers to pay 40 to 80 percent of the contract price upfront for hurricane shutters, promising delivery and installation within six to 12 weeks of the contract date. Bondi's lawsuit alleged that the company received nearly $790,000 in consumer deposits for hurricane shutters, but, in many cases, did not deliver or install the product.
Bondi's office filed the lawsuit in July in Broward Circuit court, seeking an emergency temporary injunction. One day before the hearing on the emergency motion, the court signed the order negotiated between Bondi's office and Hoffman.