Attorney General's News Release

July 27, 2006

Nixon says Lebanon home remodeler preyed on military families by taking large deposits but not finishing work

Waynesville, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon is seeking a temporary restraining order against a home remodeler from Lebanon who Nixon says took large deposits for home improvement projects but didn't finish the work or refund the money after he canceled the contracts.

Nixon is suing James Jordan, who does business as James Jordan Construction Management Services, Jordan Construction Management Services and James Jordan Residential Remodeling Services, all at 25678 N. Hwy. 5, Lebanon. Jordan, who targeted military families around Fort Leonard Wood through advertising in local newspapers, often required customers to pay at least half the total amount up front as a down payment and then kept pressing for more payments even if he did little or no work, Nixon says.

In one case, Jordan canceled the contract and quit work on a Waynesville home whose owner had paid $37,500 for services not completed or done shoddily. In another case, Jordan allegedly threatened a Houston homeowner who canceled a $4,500 check because Jordan had not completed the promised work, even though the woman had already paid him $17,800. Jordan told the woman, whose husband was serving in Iraq at the time, that the canceled check would result in her husband being placed in a military prison and her children being placed in foster care.

A third homeowner from Roby who paid Jordan $4,150 for a roofing job told an investigator with Nixon's office that Jordan cursed at her and hung up the phone when she inquired why he had not paid a supplier nor done the work she paid for.

“Mr. Jordan's actions have been unconscionable, particularly since many of his victims are military families,” Nixon says. “We're asking the court to put an immediate stop to his activities and to order him to pay back his victims.”

A hearing on Nixon's request for a temporary restraining order is scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 31. In addition to the temporary restraining order, Nixon's lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions against Jordan to prohibit him from making misrepresentations in the sale of home repair services. Nixon also is asking for full restitution for Jordan's victims and for Jordan to pay appropriate costs and penalties.

Nixon credited the Missouri State Highway Patrol with bringing the case to the attention of his office.

The Attorney General suggests that all homeowners remember the following concerning home repair:

• Get all estimates, guarantees and work dates in writing;
• Get a second estimate whenever possible;
• Avoid large payments up front;
• Check the credentials of companies: check their references; verify their number and address in the phone book; check for county or other local permits; check for complaints with the Attorney General or the Better Business Bureau; check for business registration with the Missouri Secretary of State; and
• Make payment only when the work meets the terms of your contract.

Consumer who have questions or problems with a particular business can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline by calling 1-800-392-8222 or by going online to ago.mo.gov.

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