NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that Harbor View Restoration Limited Liability Corporation (Harbor View), owner Frank A. Hoffman Sr. and his wife, Joan Hoffman, will pay $100,000 after allegations of consumer fraud.
According to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, the defendants ran a home improvement contractor business that defrauded consumers who hired them to repair homes that had been damages in fires, floods and other calamities.
“It is unconscionable that a contractor would prey on homeowners struggling to recover from catastrophic events,” Porrino said. “Our action not only penalizes this contractor for his alleged unscrupulous business practices, it provides an opportunity for wronged customers to have their complaints addressed through binding arbitration, and protects future customers by requiring him to change his business practices to comply with the law.”
The $100,000 settlement will go toward civil penalties, attorney fees and investigative costs. In addition to the monetary fine, the defendants agreed to change business practices and enter binding arbitration with consumers.
“Year after year consumer complaints relating to home improvement top our consumer complaints list,” said Steve Lee, director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “The division works diligently to investigate these claims and ensure that consumers are protected from predatory contractors.”