Attorney General Bailey Wins $131,000 in Restitution for Ripped-Off Home Owners in Clay County

Attorney General Bailey Wins $131,000 in Restitution for Ripped-Off Home Owners in Clay County

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Today, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that he obtained a judgment returning $131,022 to homeowners in Clay County after defendant Cory Richards failed to provide promised home repairs to homeowners. The Court also ordered Richards to pay more than $17,000 in civil penalties.

"As Attorney General, I will always fight to protect Missouri consumers," said Attorney General Bailey. "My Consumer Protection team thoroughly investigates complaints of fraud and takes swift action to obtain justice for Missourians who have been ripped off. Our aim is not only to hold bad actors accountable, but to deliver full restitution to all affected."

Richards broke Missouri law by falsely promising to provide home renovations and repairs to seventeen different homeowners. He accepted over a hundred thousand dollars in upfront payments and promised to perform contracting work, which he failed to provide. The little work that he did do was shoddy.

The Court ordered Richards to pay $131,022 in consumer restitution, plus fines and penalties. The judgment also prevents Richards from advertising or selling home repair and remodeling services in Missouri, as well as owning or operating a similar business where Richards exercises control of customer funds.

Consumers who believe they may have been scammed by a contractor should file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office by calling the Consumer Protection hotline at (800) 392-8222 or by submitting a complaint online at ago.mo.gov

The judgment can be read here.