FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2007
Court Orders Indianapolis Well Driller to Pay More than $265,000
Dee Hughes Entered into Home Improvement Contracts and Failed to Complete Jobs
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter announced today that the Marion Superior Court has ordered Miliadee Hughes, also known as Dee Hughes, to pay more than $265,000 for entering into home improvement contracts and either failing to complete the jobs or doing no work at all. The judgment is the result of a lawsuit the attorney general filed against Hughes last November and includes refunds for 9 consumers.
“We’re pleased to obtain such a large judgment from the Court and believe it sends the message that home improvement contractors will be held accountable for questionable business practices,” Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter said.
In its lawsuit, the state cited nine central Indiana consumers who entered into contracts with the Hughes’ to repair, replace, or drill well pumps, replace well lines, dig and replace sewer lines, and repair septic systems. The consumers paid anywhere from $925 to $5,000 for the repairs to be made. The judgment requires that Hughes make consumer restitution of more than $30,000.
In all of the complaints, the Hughes either failed to begin or failed to complete work or fulfill warranties. She also failed to provide refunds to any of the consumers, some of whom were forced to pay other contractors to complete the work.
Additionally, she failed to include required information in the home improvement contracts, such as contact information, the approximate start and end dates of the home improvements, and the signatures of the contractors.
Hughes did business as C & R Well Drilling Pump & Plumbing, C. & C. Well Drilling/Pump/Plumbing and Hughes Well Drilling.
The Court also issued an injunction barring Hughes from engaging in similar acts in the future.
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