Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced a significant legal victory against Vincent Vince, owner of Independent Construction Builders, LLC. A Luzerne County judge has ruled that Vince is banned from working in home improvement in Pennsylvania and must pay $79,000 in restitution to consumers affected by his company's practices.
In addition to the restitution payments, Vince has been ordered to pay $12,000 in civil penalties for violating Pennsylvania’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. The ruling follows a three-day trial where it was alleged that Independent Construction Builders failed to complete contracted work, performed unprofessional work, and did not provide refunds.
“Vincent Vince and his company were required to play by the same rules as all other home improvement contractors in Pennsylvania, but he betrayed consumers who paid substantial amounts of money for jobs, then turned his back when they asked for refunds,” stated Attorney General Henry. “This ruling provides a repayment order to harmed consumers and ensures that Mr. Vince will no longer have the opportunity to deceive consumers in Pennsylvania.”
The decision was issued by Judge Tina Polachek Gartley of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Judge Gartley found against Independent Construction Builders on all four counts presented in the lawsuit. Seven consumers testified during the trial.
Judge Gartley's decision stated: “the court finds that Defendants acted deceptively and fraudulently in the representations of the work they promised to perform, the materials they promised to use, and in their course of business.”
The case was handled by Deputy Attorney General Matthias Conaty and Senior Deputy Attorney General James Wise.