Attorney General's News Release

January 18, 1995

Springfield used-appliance dealer pleads guilty to criminal charges of consumer fraud

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon announced that Springfield used-appliance dealer David F. Thomas today pleaded guilty to criminal charges of defrauding consumers through his business, Budget Appliance.

Thomas was accused of selling defective appliances to southwest Missouri consumers after claiming they were operable, failing to refund money that had been promised and delivering different styles of appliances than had been ordered.

A Greene County grand jury indicted Thomas on charges of unlawful merchandising practices in June 1993, following an investigation and presentation of evidence by Nixon.

Pursuant to the terms of the guilty plea, Nixon will ask the Greene County Circuit Court to sentence Thomas to seven years' imprisonment on each of three counts of unlawful merchandising practices. The sentences would be served concurrently.

Formal sentencing is set for Jan. 27 in Greene County Circuit Court.

Thomas previously had been permanently enjoined in 1982 from making misrepresentations about defective appliances that were being sold at his St. Louis business, Papa Joe's TV and Appliance Sales and Service. In 1989 the Attorney General's Office obtained a permanent injunction to keep Thomas from deceiving customers of another of his St. Louis businesses, American Home Remodeling and Improvement Inc.

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