Attorney General Dave Sunday has filed a lawsuit against James D. Martin, a Beaver County home improvement contractor, and his business, Martin Lawn Services, LLC. The lawsuit claims that Martin, also known as Doug Martin, failed to complete home improvement contracts by performing subpar work or not completing the work at all. Additionally, it alleges that he continued to enter into contracts after his business registration under the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) expired.
Several consumers have reportedly dealt with the contractor after the lapse of his registration, as detailed in the lawsuit. At least seven court judgments have been entered against Martin since 2022 due to his business practices, and he faces a pending criminal case in Beaver County on charges of theft and deceptive business practices.
The lawsuit by the Office of Attorney General seeks to prevent Martin from conducting business in Pennsylvania in the future, in addition to securing consumer restitution and civil penalties. "This contractor took significant sums of money from hardworking Pennsylvanians hoping to improve their homes, then failed to honor the contracts," Attorney General Sunday commented. "He also knew he had to register as a contractor with our office, failed to do so, and kept taking on clients."
The lawsuit claims that Martin's actions violated both HICPA and the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. Consumers who believe they might be affected by these practices are encouraged to file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection.
The lawsuit was filed in the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jesse F. Harvey.