Michigan Attorney General Wins Judgment Against Construction Firm

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a significant legal victory for consumers, securing a consent judgment against Hummingbird Construction Co., LLC, a Michigan-based construction company. The company, along with its owner, Matthew Ashline, was found to have accepted deposits for construction projects that were never completed, subsequently failing to return the funds to customers.

The lawsuit, filed last year, highlighted violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. According to the allegations, Hummingbird Construction collected deposits from clients in various counties, including St. Clair, Monroe, Eaton, and Washtenaw, but failed to commence the contracted work. This left many customers frustrated and financially impacted.

Despite numerous requests for refunds from affected consumers, Ashline reportedly delayed repayments or neglected to return deposits altogether prior to the filing of the complaint. The attorney general’s office emphasized the importance of holding businesses accountable for such practices, which undermine consumer trust.

The consent judgment mandates the dissolution of Hummingbird Construction and imposes a 10-year prohibition on Ashline from selling construction jobs or owning and managing any construction company within Michigan. This ruling aims to protect future consumers from similar experiences.

In a move to rectify some of the damages caused, Ashline has already refunded seven affected customers over $150,000 before the judgment was finalized. Additionally, he is required to make monthly payments of $10,000 to one customer over the next nine months, further ensuring that consumers receive the compensation they deserve.

Source: Michigan Department of Attorney General

Topics
Michigan
Construction

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a significant legal victory for consumers, securing a consent judgment against Hummingbird Construction Co., LLC, a Michigan-based construction company. The company, along with its owner, Matthew Ashline, was found to have accepted deposits for construction projects that were never completed, subsequently failing to return the funds to customers.

The lawsuit, filed last year, highlighted violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. According to the allegations, Hummingbird Construction collected deposits from clients in various counties, including St. Clair, Monroe, Eaton, and Washtenaw, but failed to commence the contracted work. This left many customers frustrated and financially impacted.

Despite numerous requests for refunds from affected consumers, Ashline reportedly delayed repayments or neglected to return deposits altogether prior to the filing of the complaint. The attorney general’s office emphasized the importance of holding businesses accountable for such practices, which undermine consumer trust.

The consent judgment mandates the dissolution of Hummingbird Construction and imposes a 10-year prohibition on Ashline from selling construction jobs or owning and managing any construction company within Michigan. This ruling aims to protect future consumers from similar experiences.

In a move to rectify some of the damages caused, Ashline has already refunded seven affected customers over $150,000 before the judgment was finalized. Additionally, he is required to make monthly payments of $10,000 to one customer over the next nine months, further ensuring that consumers receive the compensation they deserve.

Source: Michigan Department of Attorney General

Topics
Michigan
Construction