Consumer Protection Division Charges Maryland Home Builder
For Failing to Build Homes
McDaniels Homes’ Registration to Build Homes Suspended

BALTIMORE, MD (May 6, 2008) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler has announced that his Consumer Protection Division’s Home Builder Registration Unit suspended the registration of D.A. McDaniels, Inc. t/a McDaniels Homes of Lanham. The Unit filed charges against the company and its owner for failing to comply with Maryland’s Home Builder Registration Act, Consumer Protection Act, and the laws governing deposits on new homes and new home warranties.

The Home Builder Registration Unit suspended the registration of D.A. McDaniels, Inc. t/a McDaniels Homes and filed a statement of charges against the builder and its owner, Derek McDaniels, for accepting deposits and payments from at least thirteen consumers in Prince George’s and Charles counties and then failing to either begin or complete construction of the homes, pay subcontractors, or refund deposits and advance payments paid by consumers. The company also failed to disclose to the Home Builder Registration Unit lawsuits filed by consumers and subcontractors concerning the company’s building activities. A hearing on the statement of charges is scheduled for August 25, 2008 at the Office of Administrative Hearings. The Home Builder Registration Unit is seeking injunctive relief, restitution, damages, and civil penalties against the builder for the alleged violations of the law.

“The law in Maryland is very clear: home builders must honor their commitments to home buyers and properly use their deposits and payments,” said Attorney General Gansler. “My office will seek severe sanctions against builders who fail to properly handle consumer deposits and who do not operate their businesses fairly and honestly.”

Consumers who may have had problems with homes built by this or other builders should contact the Home Builder Registration Unit at (410) 576-6573 in Baltimore or toll free at (877) 259-4525. Consumers can also email the unit at homebuilder@oag.state.md.us. To determine if a builder is registered with the Office of the Attorney General, consumers can visit www.oag.state.md.us/homebuilder or contact the Home Builder Registration Unit.