Attorney General's News Release

July 5, 2011

Attorney General Koster takes action against St. Louis County man for air conservation violations

St. Louis County, Mo. – Attorney General Chris Koster said today he has filed a lawsuit against Robert Volz, of St. Louis, for violations of Missouri’s Air Conservation Law and Merchandising Practices Law.

Koster said Volz runs an asbestos inspection business, Universal Inspection Service, in St. Louis County. Missouri law requires such businesses to be certified by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Volz conducted at least one inspection without the required certification, a violation of the Air Conservation Law, and falsely implied to customers that he had obtained such certification, a violation of the Merchandising Practices Law.

“Missouri’s Air Conservation Law was enacted to protect both citizens’ health and our environment,” Koster said, “and the Merchandising Practices Law is in place to protect consumers from deception. The Attorney General’s Office will not look the other way when these violations of our laws occur.”

Koster said he is asking the court to issue a permanent injunction prohibiting Volz from further violations of the laws; assess a penalty of up to $10,000 for each day Volz violated the Air Conservation Law and a penalty up to $10,000 for each violation of the Merchandising Practices Law; pay full restitution to customers damaged by his actions; pay the state 10 percent of the total restitution ordered; and pay all court, investigative, and prosecution costs.