Toledo men charged with consumer law violation

Repairmen failed to give estimates, DeWine says

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine

Two Toledo men who operated an appliance repair service have been accused of deceptive business practices after multiple complaints were filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

In a lawsuit filed Thursday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said Roger Sutherland and Shawn Wheeler advertised their services on Craigslist and in the yellow pages, using various business names — none of which was registered.

“These individuals came into consumers’ homes, made repairs without providing estimates, and then surprised consumers with the bill,” Mr. DeWine said in a statement.

The lawsuit charges the men — who the statement said are brothers — with multiple violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, including shoddy work and failing to inform consumers of their right to an estimate.

The suit also alleges at least two customers paid the brothers a significant amount of money for parts, but the parts were never delivered and the customers were never given refunds. The suit also accuses the brothers of advertising a one-year warranty, but never following up on any additional repairs.

The Attorney General’s Office seeks a ruling to require the defendants to repay customers, an injunction to stop further violations, and civil penalties.