HARRISBURG — A Luzerne County contractor has been permanently prohibited from conducting home improvement work in Pennsylvania following a court ruling that found his business practices deceptive and fraudulent. The decision also orders Vincent Vince, owner of Independent Construction Builders, LLC, to pay over $79,000 in restitution to consumers along with $12,000 in civil penalties to the Commonwealth.
The lawsuit, brought forward by Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, accused Vince and his company of violating the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law and the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. Allegations include failing to complete contracted work, performing substandard work, and refusing to provide refunds to customers.
According to Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Tina Polachek Gartley, “the court finds that Defendants acted deceptively and fraudulently in the representations of the work they promised to perform, the materials they promised to use, and in their course of business.” The ruling followed testimony from seven consumers during a three-day trial.
Attorney General Henry praised the court’s decision as a significant step in holding home improvement contractors accountable. “Vincent Vince and his company were required to play by the same rules as all other home improvement contractors in Pennsylvania, but he betrayed consumers who paid substantial amounts of money for jobs, then turned his back when they asked for refunds,” said Henry. “This ruling provides a repayment order to harmed consumers and ensures that Mr. Vince will no longer have the opportunity to deceive consumers in Pennsylvania.”
This case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Matthias Conaty and Senior Deputy Attorney General James Wise, reinforcing the Office of the Attorney General’s commitment to protecting consumers from unethical practices.
Consumers who believe they have been harmed by fraudulent business practices are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office through its Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or by email at scams@attorneygeneral.gov.
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