Attorney General's News Release

October 13, 2005

Nixon files criminal charges against Nixa man who took orders for kitchen cabinets then never delivered

Ozark, Mo. — A Nixa business owner who is alleged to have accepted more than $52,000 in deposits for kitchen cabinets and then closed the doors of his business without giving refunds or delivering merchandise faces 10 felony counts of unlawful merchandising practices in charges sought by Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The felony complaint, filed in Christian County Circuit Court, alleges that Aaron E. Gulick of Nixa, owner of Classic Kitchens and Interiors, accepted payments for merchandise between May and October 2004.

Gulick was arraigned Oct. 11 in Christian County Circuit Court, where he entered a plea of not guilty. His next scheduled court appearance is Nov. 16.

Violation of the Merchandising Practices Act is a class D felony, punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine per count.

The charges against the defendant are merely accusations. As in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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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.

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