(NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General DeWine today announced that a judge has granted the state’s request to stop a Somerset man from taking money from new customers after he allegedly failed to deliver promised mobile-home services to several consumers across Ohio and violated a previous consumer protection settlement.
David Lee Marsh Sr. is prohibited from entering into consumer transactions or transferring assets until a preliminary injunction hearing is held, according to the temporary restraining order issued Thursday in the Perry County Common Pleas Court.
Marsh operates under the names David’s Mobile Home & Well Service, DM Mobile Home Transport, and David’s Mobile Home Transport & Repair, offering mobile home transport and repair services to consumers throughout the state.
In the past few years, dozens of consumers have complained about Marsh’s company. Most said that after they paid, the company never provided the promised work or did an incomplete, late, or shoddy job.
“We’re pursuing this case to protect consumers,” Attorney General DeWine said. “A number of people paid thousands of dollars and received essentially nothing in return. We take these cases seriously and will work very hard to help the people who have been harmed.”
In February 2015, Attorney General DeWine filed a lawsuit against Marsh for violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act. Marsh entered into a consent judgment in October 2015, agreeing not to violate the law and to pay consumer restitution and a civil penalty. After the agreement, however, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office began receiving more complaints against the company. Currently there are 10 unresolved complaints from consumers in multiple counties.
In a new lawsuit filed Thursday, the Attorney General accuses Marsh of several violations of Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act, including failing to deliver, making misrepresentations, and engaging in consumer transactions while having unsatisfied legal obligations to other consumers. The Attorney General is seeking consumer restitution and a permanent injunction banning Marsh from offering mobile home transport or repair services to consumers.
Attorney General DeWine encourages consumers to research businesses carefully by reviewing consumer complaints filed with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office or Better Business Bureau, talking to past customers, and obtaining written estimates from other businesses before making a final decision.
Consumers who suspect an unfair or deceptive business practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioProtects.org.
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Documents
Lawsuit (PDF)
Temporary Restraining Order (PDF)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840