Missouri Attorney General sues Boone County contractor on fraud accusations
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri's Attorney General Andrew Bailey is suing a Boone County contractor for allegedly failing to provide promised construction work to a customer.
The lawsuit claims Walters and his company violated the Merchandising Practices Act and accuses both of false promises, misrepresentation, deception and unfair practice. The lawsuit was filed on March 5 and a summons was issued for Anthony Walters and Walters Carpentry LLC.
The summons for Walters was returned on March 21 because he did not live at the listed address, according to notes written on the summons.
According to the lawsuit, Anthony Walters was hired by a customer in October 2022 for a home renovation project. Walters completed three projects and continued to provide work for new projects.
In November 2022, Walters signed a contract for a fence project costing $6,200 and requested $4,700 in advance for materials along with a promise to start work immediately, according to the lawsuit. He later also requested another $1,800 for materials, court documents claim.
The lawsuit states between Nov. 15, 2022-Feb. 16, 2023, the victim said they reached out to Walters multiple times about his failure to finish the project as promised. He allegedly gave excuses and promised to start work the next day but never did.
The petition claims that Walters worked on the fence on eight separate occasions between Nov. 15-Dec.15, 2022. Walters and workers allegedly dug fence post holes, put in 75% of the frame for the back portion of the property and put up 5 feet of "completed fence" near the driveway.
The Attorney General's office states the estimated cost for the customer was around $6,500.
The lawsuit states multiple complaints were filed against Walters for failing to deliver services as promised.
ABC 17 News tried to reach Walters over several methods but he was not immediately able to comment.
In a news release sent on Tuesday, Bailey said "I will always fight for the rule of law, which includes holding individuals accountable for ripping off Missourians."
