(CINCINNATI)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that a Hamilton man has been indicted for allegedly stealing money from consumers after offering to install granite countertops for them.
Michael J. Combs, 57, was indicted Wednesday by a Hamilton County grand jury on the following charges:
- One count of theft beyond the scope, a fourth-degree felony
- One count of theft by deception, a fourth-degree felony
- Three counts of theft beyond the scope, fifth-degree felonies
- Three counts of theft by deception, fifth-degree felonies
Combs is accused of stealing about $19,300 from four consumers in the greater Cincinnati area. According to investigators, Combs operated under the names Granite Designs and First Choice Tops. He provided homeowners with estimates for new granite countertop installations and collected checks for the materials but allegedly never completed any of the work.
The case was investigated by the Ohio Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Unit, a division of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section. An attorney with the Economic Crimes Unit was appointed by the Hamilton County Prosecutor to handle the case as a special prosecutor.
Consumers who suspect a scam or unfair sales practice should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at
www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.
-30-
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Kate Hanson: 614-466-3840