Attorney general cracks down on Joplin contractor for failing to provide service to tornado victims

(From Attorney General Chris Koster)

Attorney General Chris Koster said today that he has reached an agreement with Charles W. Eminger, owner of Superior Construction in Joplin, for failing to provide Joplin tornado victims services for which they paid.

Under the settlement, Koster said, Eminger will pay a fine and is prohibited from receiving up-front payments from customers unless the payment is for supplies or materials; is required to execute a written contract with all future customers; is required to fully refund pre-paid moneys to any customer for which he fails to complete work; and is prohibited from doing business until he has obtained all state and local licenses required by law.

“Many Joplin residents rebuilding their homes are finding honest, properly licensed contractors with good reputations,” Koster said. “Unfortunately, there are always those who will take advantage of unsuspecting consumers during times of tragedy. I want to assure consumers that this office will go after everyone who engages in this illegal behavior.”

In addition to not providing the services for which tornado victims paid, the settlement addresses allegations that Eminger operated Superior Construction without the proper licenses and without registering the business name with the Missouri Secretary of State.