BUFFALO — New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against a Buffalo-Niagara area home improvement contractor, alleging violation of a court order by operating illegally under a different business name.
The Attorney General’s Office its lawsuit against Robert B. Cooper Jr., who operates Robert’s Paving and Excavating LLC, but was barred from the home contracting business by a 2014 court order. According Schneiderman's office, Cooper previously did business as Finger Lakes Asphalt and received a court order to stop operating his business until he complied with New York state Law.
Through recent consumer complaints, Schneiderman's office learned Cooper was continuing to operate his business, but under a different name where he allegedly performed shoddy work, used bait-and-switch pricing, failed to obtain authorization from customers before the work and intimidated customers to collect inflated payments.
“Homeowners are entitled to certain protections – and no contractor is above the law,” Schneiderman said in a news release. “I urge defrauded homeowners to contact our office, and all New Yorkers to follow our tips before negotiating home improvement services.”
The Attorney General’s Office says it seeks to hold Cooper in criminal contempt and also seeks civil penalties and restitution for the victims.