Attorney General Gansler Issues Cease and Desist Order Against Contractor

Baltimore, MD (December 5, 2008)- Maryland Attorney Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a cease and desist order requiring Kenneth F. Reed to pay restitution to consumers and to stop selling agricultural improvement goods and services in Maryland. Mr. Reed collected payments from consumers to renovate poultry houses and after being paid he started, but never completed, the projects.

The Consumer Protection Division determined that Mr. Reed violated the Maryland Consumer Protection Act by selling agricultural improvement goods and services that he did not provide and by failing to refund customers’ payments. The Division’s cease and desist order immediately bars Mr. Reed from selling agricultural improvement goods and services in Maryland unless he provides the Division a $100,000 surety bond. The Division also ordered Mr. Reed to return all of the money he took from consumers for services he did not provide. The Division found that at least two consumers are owed at least $73,035.44. Mr. Reed has 30 days to request a hearing to challenge the Division’s order.

"Mr. Reed has been ordered to return the monies he took for services he did not perform. He has also been ordered to be bonded before offering his services in the future," said Attorney General Gansler. Attorney General Gansler urges consumers to contact the Consumer Protection Division and the Home Improvement Commission before hiring a contractor to see if there have been any complaints filed against the contractor and to check to see if the contractor is licensed.

Consumers who purchased, but did not receive goods or services from Kenneth F. Reed should call the Consumer Protection Division at 410-576-6569 or write to the Consumer Protection Division at 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.