The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and Office of the Attorney General announced 33 convictions so far in 2011 against home improvement contractors who engaged in unscrupulous practices.
The 33 cases between Jan. 4 and June 6 resulted in $233,000 in restitution to consumers. The largest fines were $82,750 against Carl Basile of Agawam, Mass. in five home improvement cases and $50,000 against Timothy O’Hara of Washingtonville, N.Y. in one case.
Richard Koslik of Springfield, Mass. received a two-year jail sentence for three cases of home improvement violations while Vincent Lago of Ansonia received a two-month jail sentence for one case. They were the only two to receive jail sentences.
“We are providing this information to remind consumers and contractors alike of our commitment to ensure that Connecticut’s home improvement marketplace is fair and accountable,” said William Rubenstein, Consumer Protection commissioner, in a press release. “Our laws are clear and provide valuable protections for both homeowners and contractors.”
