CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION’S FINDINGS AGAINST MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY UPHELD

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that his Consumer Protection Division’s findings that a Glen Arm medical supply company and its owner violated the Consumer Protection Act were upheld by the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. On February 4, Judge John Fader, II upheld all of the Division’s findings against Allied Home Healthcare and its owner, Paris George, and upheld the Division’s order that George and his company pay a $75,000 penalty, investigation costs, and tens of thousands of dollars in restitution to consumers.

In March 2001, the Consumer Protection Division charged Allied Home Healthcare, located at 22 Manor Springs Court, Glen Arm, MD 21057, and the company’s owner, Paris George, with multiple violations of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act for selling, but failing to provide, medical equipment such as wheelchairs and stair lifts to consumers. Allied Home Healthcare has also used the names Access Medical Equipment Company and AAA Accessibility Equipment Company.

Following an evidentiary hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Consumer Protection Division found on June 24, 2002 that George’s failure to deliver medical equipment that was desperately needed by consumers, and failure to provide any refunds, was intentional and that he had acted in bad faith. The Division ordered George and his company to return at least $32,510.92 that he owed consumers and the State of Maryland, to pay a penalty of $75,000, and to pay the Division’s investigation costs. George appealed the Division’s order to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County.

“ This company and its owner preyed on extremely vulnerable consumers, persons that are ill or suffering from disabilities,” said Curran. “I am pleased the Circuit Court agreed that consumers harmed by this business are entitled to relief.”

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