Attorney General's News Release

November 3, 2006

Cameron couple convicted of taking down payments for carpeting but not doing work repay $36,626 for victims

Maysville, Mo. — A Cameron couple who pleaded guilty in August to taking thousands of dollars in down payments from consumers for carpeting and flooring were sentenced today in DeKalb County Circuit Court. Attorney General Jay Nixon brought charges in the case in June.

Judge Warren McElwain sentenced Rick Hamilton (DOB — 4/7/58) and Linda Hamilton (DOB — 6/4/60), the owners of North Missouri Rug, to five years in prison on each of three counts of stealing. Judge McElwain suspended execution of the sentence, placing the pair on five years' probation and ordering them both to serve 60 days' shock time in the county jail.

In addition to being sentenced today, the Hamiltons also paid $36,626 in restitution for 10 victims. Nixon said the Hamiltons had taken the down payments for new carpeting or linoleum flooring and refused to give refunds after they failed to do the work that was promised.

The Attorney General's Office was appointed special prosecutor in the case due to a conflict of interest on the part of the DeKalb County prosecuting attorney.

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 the Press Secretary.

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