St. Louis Man Arrested, Charged With Defrauding Area Homeowners In Repair Scams

September 18, 2007 -- Clayton, Mo. — The owner of a St. Louis home repair business was arrested last Thursday (Sept. 13) and charged with defrauding area homeowners by not completing repairs or honoring warranties the consumers paid for. Kenneth J. Mers (DOB – 7/30/70), the owner of AMRP Construction, was indicted on three counts of unlawful merchandising practices by a St. Louis County grand jury at the request of Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon.

The indictment alleges Mers, who resides in the 4200 block of Salem School Road, took payment for home renovation or repair services – including fixing leaks and cracks, painting, installing siding, and providing waterproofing – but did not complete the work. Mers also allegedly sold multi-year warranties for his work, but did not honor the warranties. The indictment says the services and warranties were sold to the consumers in January 2005.

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Missouri law provides the Attorney General with concurrent jurisdiction to bring criminal charges in cases where unlawful merchandising practices are alleged.

Unlawful merchandising practices is a class D felony under Missouri law, which each count punishable upon conviction by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The charges against Mers are merely accusations; as in all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: Missouri Attorney General