Attorney General's News Release

December 7, 1999

Blue Springs contractors to pay more than $63,000 in restitution

Independence, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today obtained a permanent injunction against a Blue Springs contractor who used fraudulent bids to help consumers obtain home-improvement loans, kept loan proceeds and failed to complete work or performed shoddy work.

Robert Faris, who did business as Faris Construction, agreed to pay $63,554 in restitution to six victims and to pay restitution to other victims who contact the Attorney General's office by Feb. 4, 2000. If Faris fails to pay restitution in a timely matter, he will be required to pay the state an additional $44,355 in costs and penalties. Faris is prohibited from working as a contractor or having any interest in a contracting business for at least five years or until the judgment is paid in full, which ever is longer.

Nixon says Faris told Kansas City area homeowners he would help them apply for home-improvement loans in excess of the amount the contractors would charge for their work. Homeowners were told they could keep the extra loan proceeds to use for other purposes.

With the consent of the homeowner, he would use an fraudulent bid sheet with inflated costs to obtain a home-improvement loan, using the consumers' homes as collateral. Faris would then cash the checks and keep some or all of the loan proceeds. The homeowner would then be required to pay back the loan. In addition to keeping the proceeds, Faris often failed to perform any work, complete work or performed shoddy work.

"Faris is the latest of the long list of contractors who we have obtained judgments against," Nixon said. "I hope this sends a clear message to any one else who would try to defraud Missouri homeowners."

Consumers with complaints about Faris Construction should contact the Attorney General's office at 816-889-5000.

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