Missouri AG Sues Joplin Contractor for Cheating Tornado Victims

Missouri Attorney General, Chris Koster, filed a lawsuit today against E. Brian Sides, of Reeds Spring, and his construction company, ABP Quality Construction, Inc., in Branson West alleging that the defendants failed to provide goods and home repair services paid for by tornado victims.

The lawsuit alleges that after homeowners paid Sides and ABP Quality Construction tens of thousands of dollars for items such as tile, cabinets, and appliances, the defendants stopped working on the victims’ homes without completing the work and failed to deliver the supplies and appliances for which the victims had paid. The defendants’ conduct forced their victims to purchase these items elsewhere at additional cost.

“Unfortunately, there are always those who will take advantage of unsuspecting consumers during times of tragedy,” Koster said, “I want to assure consumers that this office will never stop pursuing those who engage in this illegal behavior.”

The attorney general is seeking a restraining order requiring Sides to stop operating a construction business and to provide restitution to customers who were damaged. In addition, Koster is asking the court to impose civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and to require the defendants to pay for all court, investigation, and prosecution costs.