Illinois AG Madigan Files Lawsuit Against Dupage County Contractor

November 14, 2007 -- Chicago - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit today alleging a DuPage County contractor collected more than $18,500 in down payments for home improvement work that he failed to perform. The suit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, named William Albergo, doing business as Albergo Paver Systems of Roselle as the defendant.

Five consumers contacted Madigan's Consumer Fraud Bureau to complain about Albergo's business practices after they entered into contracts that called for the installation of driveways, sidewalks and patios. According to the consumers' complaints, Albergo collected down payments ranging from $2,900 to $7,000 at the time of contract signing and then allegedly failed to perform any of the work. Albergo also allegedly told each consumer that the work would begin or be completed within a certain time frame.

“My office is dedicated to enforcing Illinois' laws to protect consumers against unscrupulous contractors who try to bend or even break the law and spoil the dreams of homeowners trying to improve their homes,” Madigan said.

Madigan's lawsuit alleges Albergo committed multiple violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, including failing to perform any of the work contracted for, failing to notify consumers of the three-day right to cancel the contract, failure to refund consumers' down payments upon their request and failing to provide consumers with the informative pamphlet “ Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights” as required under Illinois law.

Madigan's suit seeks a court order to prohibit Albergo from engaging in the business of home repair and from further violating Illinois' consumer protection laws. The lawsuit also seeks restitution to consumers and court costs. In addition, Madigan's suit seeks a civil penalty of $50,000 and additional penalties of $50,000 for each violation found to have been committed by Albergo with the intent to defraud and $10,000 for any violations of the Consumer Fraud Act committed against an individual who is 65 years of age or older.

Assistant Attorney General Janice Parker is handling the case for Madigan's Consumer Fraud Bureau.

Consumers who believe that they may be the victim of a home repair scam or any other consumer fraud can download a consumer complaint form at www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers or call the Attorney General's Consumer Fraud Hotline at one of the following numbers

Chicago 1-800-386-5438; TTY: 1-800-964-3013
Springfield 1-800-243-0618; TTY: 1-877-844-5461
Carbondale: 1-800-243-0607; TTY: 1-877-675-9339
Spanish-language Hotline: 1-866-310-8398

Source: Illinois Attorney General

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