TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced April 20 a complaint against a local contractor over allegations of deceiving Superstorm Sandy victims.
The defendants in the complaint are Coastal Restorations & Construction of New Jersey, along with Adam Nevius, Cole Nevius Jr. and Kimberly D. Atkinson. Porrino’s office alleges the defendants accepted money, including federal restoration funds, for repair work to homes damaged by Sandy, but did not complete the repairs.
They purportedly obtained $350,000 in federal relief funds from seven homeowners and violated the State’s Consumer Fraud Act, the Contractors’ Registration Act, the Regulations Governing Contractor Registration, the Regulations Governing Home Improvement Practices and the Regulations Governing General Advertising.
“Those still recovering from Superstorm Sandy must have confidence that contractors will treat them fairly and honestly,” Porrino said. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who destroy that confidence and undermine the ability of families to go home again.”
The complaint seeks customer restitution, disgorgement of federal money paid to the defendants, civil penalties and attorneys fees.
“If a contractor accepts a renovation or elevation job, that company must follow the laws and regulations governing home improvement,” said Steve Lee, director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “If the company cannot, it should not be conducting business in New Jersey. In order to protect vulnerable consumers, we will remain vigilant and take action against those who fail to live up to their contracts.”