BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced a consumer fraud and contractor licensing lawsuit on Friday against a Minot flood restoration contractor for alleged misrepresentations.
Michael Frederick, doing business as Fredericks Contracting LLC, allegedly engaged in contractor services without a state contractor's license and took upfront payments without delivering agreed upon services.
"This unlicensed contractor took at least $24,000 from three Minot-area consumers in advance deposits and did not complete the work promised," Stenehjem said. "While there are consequences for doing contracting work without a license, this contractor's abuse of Minot flood victims with limited resources and in desperate need of repairs is particularly loathsome and will be addressed by the court in legal action by this office."
According to a complaint received by Stenehjem's Consumer Protection Division, Frederick allegedly received an advance payment of $5,200 from a Minot consumer and failed to finish the work promised. Additionally, Frederick allegedly failed to provide materials to two consumers that paid advance deposits of more than $17,000.
The unlicensed contractor also allegedly has a history of drug and theft charges in Ward County.
"It is mandatory for all contractors to be appropriately licensed and registered with the state agencies before commencing any work," Stenehjem said. "We want to ensure that these contractors have liability policies in place that protect both consumers and employees from liability in the event of injuries and that the state has created a level playing field for all contractors that are paying taxes and premiums and otherwise complying with all the laws and regulations."
N.D. AG Stenehjem suing Minot contractor
