(CINCINNATI)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against two men accused of operating a driveway paving scheme affecting dozens of consumers in the Cincinnati and Dayton area.
The lawsuit accuses James C. Boswell and Edward Boswell of violating state consumer protection laws by failing to deliver promised services, performing shoddy work, and failing to notify consumers about their cancellation rights.
“We found that the defendants approached people at their homes, claimed to have leftover asphalt, and pressured consumers into paying for services,” Attorney General DeWine said. “Then they did minimal, shoddy work and left.”
According to the lawsuit, the Boswells did business as Discount Paving and operated in Hamilton County and other Ohio counties, including Warren, Butler, Montgomery, and Greene. About 30 consumers filed complaints with local law enforcement or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, with reported losses totaling about $67,000.
In the lawsuit, filed in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, the Attorney General seeks reimbursement for affected consumers, an injunction to stop further violations, and an order to prohibit the defendants from entering into any other consumer transactions in Ohio unless they repay consumers in this case.
James C. Boswell is currently incarcerated for similar conduct.
Attorney General DeWine reminded consumers to beware of driveway paving scams and other home improvement schemes, especially during spring and summer months. Consumers should be wary of contractors who show up at their homes unexpectedly, ask for immediate payment, and fail to notify them about their cancellation rights.
Consumers who suspect a scam should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.