| NEWARK – The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has filed an action against J&L Glass & Construction Corp., Its All Glass Corp., and Glass Dynamix Corp., alleging, among other things, that these businesses incorrectly installed replacement shower doors and glass, causing damage while doing so, and failed to deliver glass table tops ordered by consumers.
The state’s nine-count civil complaint, filed in State Superior Court in Hackensack, also names Joel R. Tobia and Evelyn Perez as defendants. Tobia, 51, and Perez, 53, are the principals of J&L Glass & Construction Corp., a Saddle Brook-based company also known as “J&L Mirror and Glass;” and Glass Dynamix Corp., in Englewood, also known as “Dynamix.” Tobia also controls Its All Glass Corp., in Saddle Brook, which is also known as “All Glass Services.” The state’s civil complaint alleges violations of the Home Improvement Contractors’ Registration Act, related regulations, and the Delivery of Household Furniture and Furnishings regulations.
“Consumers often were forced to hire other contractors to fix the allegedly shoddy work performed by these defendants, and, in some cases, as described in the complaint, repairs had to be made in order to stop water leaks from causing further damage to their homes,” Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said. “We will not tolerate disregard for the rights of homeowners and our consumer protection laws.”
Among other things, the Division of Consumer Affairs is seeking to dissolve the companies’ corporate charters, bar Tobia and Perez from owing or operating another home improvement contracting company and reimburse affected consumers.
In addition to performing substandard work, failing to correct such work, and failing to complete projects, the defendants also allegedly used deficient home improvement contracts that, among other things, did not include a notice to consumers about their right to cancel the contract. The contracts for purchase of glass table tops allegedly failed to include delivery dates.
“We’re determined to hold these businesses accountable for their allegedly illegal business practices,” said Division of Consumer Affairs Acting Director Steve Lee. “Consumers should get the home improvements and fixtures that they paid for, not suffer additional costs for damages caused by the home improvement companies themselves.”
The state’s complaint also alleges that defendants’ contracts listed business locations where the companies did not maintain offices.
About three dozen consumers have filed complaints with the Division of Consumer Affairs against the defendants.
Investigator Jared O’Cone in the Division of Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection conducted the investigation.
Deputy Attorney General Patricia Schiripo, Assistant Chief of the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section in the Division of Law, is representing the state.
Consumers who believe they may have been victimized by these companies or other home improvement or furniture companies can file a complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.
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