BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a lawsuit against Joseph Lloyd, a home improvement contractor, over alleged fraud against Western New Yorkers.
Lloyd allegedly took advance payments from consumers for snow removal services, yet failed to plow their driveways. Claims further argue that, in some cases, consumers paid as much as $275 for snow removal services they never received following several recent snowfalls.
“Anyone who has experienced a winter in Western New York knows that snow removal is not a luxury, but a necessity," Schneiderman said. "My office has made it clear that we won’t tolerate those who exploit poor weather conditions to take advantage of consumers.”
Schneiderman’s lawsuit will seek restitution for consumers, injunctive relief and penalties. The attorney general additionally obtained a court order that bans Lloyd from disposing of any of his assets, including his bank accounts.
Assistant Attorney General James M. Morrissey and Karen Davis, senior consumer fraud representative in the Buffalo Regional Office, handled the case.