Attorney General's News Release

January 30, 2006

Judge orders Iron County home-repair contractor to pay nearly $40,000 in consumer refunds and penalties

Jefferson City, Mo. — A St. Francois County judge has dropped the hammer on the owner of a home-repair company for collecting thousands of dollars from homeowners and never delivering on promises. Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Ray has ordered Mike Mullery to pay $22,308 in refunds to consumers who made down payments as high as $7,200 for home-repair projects. In most cases, Mullery never even began the work.

Last year, Attorney General Jay Nixon sued Mullery, who did business under several different company names in Annapolis, Mo. The lawsuit claimed Mullery never performed services he’d been paid for and was unavailable to consumers who tried to contact him to resolve problems.

“This is a message to unscrupulous home-repair companies that ripping off Missouri consumers is not worth it,” Nixon said. “Home repair is one of the highest categories of complaints my office gets every year, and we’ll continue trying to recover ever penny that’s unfairly charged to consumers.”

In addition to the refunds to consumers, Mullery must pay $15,800 in penalties to the state and may not own, manage or operate a construction business.

Nixon says this case is a good reminder that spring is coming, a time when many Missourians have work done on their homes. “Consumers need to be careful about the companies they choose and avoid paying large amounts of money until work is complete,” he said.

To avoid home-repair disputes, Nixon advises not paying more than 25 percent up front; hire companies that are known or recommended; get all agreements in writing; and pay by credit card if possible.

Missourians can get more information on home-repair fraud by calling the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818