MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced Dec. 13 that his office and the Alabama Plumbers and Gasfitters Examining Board have settled with Plumbing 911 Inc. of Moody and its owner and president, Tony C. Gowins of Talladega.
“The State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board was glad to work with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office to bring resolution to this case,” said Executive Director David Wilcox. “The board remains dedicated to the people of Alabama by striving to ensure quality work is performed by certified individuals and honest contractors.
According to the lawsuit, Plumbing 911 committed multiple violations of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act and state plumbing regulations, including charging consumers double the price of estimates, performing substandard and unnecessary work, causing major damage to property and failing to obtain required permits and licensing. Plumbing 911 will pay $109,044.12 in consumer restitution and $140,955 in penalties and attorneys’ fees.
“I am extremely pleased that we were able to obtain triple damages for these consumers, who suffered from egregious violations and wrongdoing by Plumbing 911,” Strange said. “Furthermore, the company is being compelled to abide by honest and scrupulous standards going forward. This should serve as a strong warning to others who engage in deceptive and unfair business practices.”