A Pierce County judge has ordered Kevin Wilkerson, a local business owner, to pay over $360,000 in penalties and restitution. This decision follows a consumer protection lawsuit initiated by Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Wing Luke Civil Rights Division. The court found that Wilkerson and his companies, Northwest Environmental Services and Core Environmental Group, unlawfully charged gas station owners for unfinished or substandard work on underground fuel storage tanks.
The judgment mandates full restitution plus interest for nine affected gas station owners, primarily of Korean or South Asian descent. Wilkerson's actions forced these businesses to incur additional expenses by hiring other companies to rectify the poor-quality work. Many owners reported that Wilkerson stopped responding to their inquiries and refused refunds.
Attorney General Ferguson stated: “My office stands up for Washington small businesses that follow the rules and contribute to our economy.” He emphasized the commitment to protecting small businesses from exploitation.
An Olympia gas station owner expressed frustration with Wilkerson’s practices: “(Wilkerson) took my money and then didn’t respond to me and made excuses. I trusted him.”
Wilkerson's conduct affected businesses across several counties including Pierce, King, Snohomish, Thurston, Grays Harbor, and Lewis. His actions violated the state Consumer Protection Act. Judge Clarence Henderson Jr., of Pierce County Superior Court, ordered Wilkerson to pay $360,741 in total damages—$195,000 in civil penalties for harming individuals based on national origin and $165,741 as restitution plus interest.
Wilkerson must cease all unlawful activities or face further legal consequences. His companies advertised maintenance services for underground storage tanks used by gas stations statewide but failed to meet required standards since at least 2015.
In one case detailed in court documents, an Indian gas station owner paid a $50,000 deposit for tank installation only to discover permits were not filed timely. This delay resulted in significant financial losses due to additional storage costs while waiting for project completion.
Another instance involved a Korean owner who paid nearly $9,000 for system upgrades that failed because of incorrect parts used by Wilkerson’s team without proper certification.
The Attorney General’s Office suspects more victims may exist beyond those who submitted declarations during litigation proceedings against Wilkerson's firms; they encourage others harmed similarly contact them via email at civilrights@atg.wa.gov or call toll-free 1-833-660-4877 (option 1).
Assistant Attorneys General Emily C. Nelson & Alyssa P Au alongside Investigator Rebecca Pawul & Paralegal Logan Young managed this case representing Washington State interests throughout proceedings against Mr.Wilkson
Ecology Department previously requested intervention due repeated violations concerning environmental regulations related specifically towards handling/storage protocols associated directly impacting potential risks posed towards ecological safety/health concerns surrounding underground fuel leakages caused inadvertently through negligence displayed consistently overtime despite numerous complaints received repeatedly highlighting similar issues encountered frequently amongst various stakeholders operating within industry sector reliant heavily upon such infrastructure support mechanisms provided ostensibly under guise professional service provision agreements established between parties involved therein subsequently resulting detrimental outcomes experienced ultimately necessitating recourse sought judicially address grievances raised accordingly through appropriate channels available legally remedial action pursued diligently thereafter conclusion reached favorably behalf aggrieved 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