J~I~I~1 J. HOFFMAN~CT1NG ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW JERSEYDivision of Law124 Halsey Street - 5th FloorP.O. Box 45029Newark, New Je~•sey 07101. _ . ~~A.ttorne~~ for Plaintiffs

By: Cathleen O'Do~~~ell {002:x; ~~,'~~?~;;~Deputy Attonley General

- SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEYC~~ANCER~.'DIVISION, ~F,RC1EN COUNTYDOCKET NO. BER-C- t

JO~TN J. HOFFM~N, Acting 1~ttorney General of theState of New Jersey, and S I~EVE C. LEE, Acting3~irectoz~ of the New Jersey Division cif Consumerl~ffairs,

Plaintiffs,

v.

A. PILZ~ CONTRAC~,Ii~G, I~LC, AP BUILDINGCONSTRUCTION, LLC a/k/a AP BUILDERS &CONSTRUC`T'ION, LLC; ANTHONY ANGELOPIZZA, and Jf1NE AND JOB-~N DOES 1-20,individually anci as owners, officers, directors,shareholders, founders, members, managers,employees, servants, agents, representatives and/orinde~endcnt contractors of ~. PIZZACONTRACTING, LLC, ~1P BUILDING &COI~ISTRUCTIDN, LLC a/1Ja AI' BUILDERS &CONTI~.UCTIflN; and XYL CORPORATIONS 1-20,

Defendants.

Civil Action

Plaintiffs John J. I Ioffman, acting Attorney General of the State of New Jersey ("~ttarney

General"), with of#ices located at 124 ~-3alsey Street, Fifth f lour, Newark, New .Tersey, and Steve C.

Lee, Acting Director of the New Jersey Div sign of Consumer Affairs ("Director"}, with offices

located at 124 ~-Ialsey Street, Seventh Floor, Newark, New Jersey, by way of Complaint state:

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

1. ~t all relevant times, defendants A. Pizza Contractnb, LLC, ~P Building &

Construction, LLC a/k/a AP Builders & Construction, LLC, and Anthony Angelo Pizza

(ct~llectively, "Defendants") were engaged 7~ t11e advertisement, oFfering for sale, sale and

performance of various home rnpravements, includi7zg, among other things, roofing, remodeling

basements, bathrooms and kitchens, masonry work {~, patios, driveways, and front steps), and

various home extensions (~, garage additions), to consumers in the State of New Jersey ("State" or

"New Jersey") and elsewhere.

2. Consumer complai~zts received by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs

{"Division") re;ardi~~g Defenda~~lts' home improvement work have revealed multiple violations of

tl~e New Jersey Consumer I'rauclpct, N.J.S.A.56:8-1 et sec . {"CFA"), the Contractors' Registration

Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-135 ei sec., azld the regulations promulgated thereunder, specifically the

Regulations Governing Contractor Registration, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.1. et sec. ("Contractor

Registratio~l Regulations"), and. the Regulations Governing Hon1e In~provernent Pzactices, N.J.A.C.

13;45A-16.1 et sect_ {"Home Improvement Regulations"). Among other things, these alleged

violations arise from Defendants' failure to: (a) provide coz7sumers with written home improvement

contracts; (b) include required information in or with home improvement co~~tracts (eT~., description

of work, cancellation language}; (c) perform the contracted for home im~ro~~ement wo~~k, aftez•

receiving consumer payments; and (d) z~lake the necessary repairs to correct substandard home

improvement woz~k. The Attorney General and Director commence this action to halt Defendants'

deceptive business practices and to obtain consumer restitutio~l a~~d other monetary relief.

3. The Attorney General is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the CFA, the

Contractors' Registration Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, specifically the

Contractor Registration Regulations and the Home Improvement Regulations. The Director is

chaz•ged with the responsibility of administering the CFA, the Contractors' Registration Act, the

Contractor Registration Regulations and the Home Improvement Regulations on behalf of the

Attorney General.

4. By this action, the Attorney General and Director (collectively, "Plaintiffs") seek

injunctive relief and other relief for violations of the CFA, the Contractors' Registration Act, the

Co~~tractor Registration Regulatioi3s, and the Home Impxovernent Regulations. Plaintiffs bring this

action pursuant. to their authority under t11e CFA, specifically N.J.S.A. Sb:8-8, 56:8-11, 56:8-13 and

56:8-19. Venue is proper in Bergezl County, pursuant to R. 4:3-2, because it is a county in which the

Defeiaciants have maintained a business address and otherwise cond~.rcted business.

5. A. Pizza Contz•actin~, I~,LC ("A. Pizza Contracting") is a New ,Tersey liinifed liability

company, formed on December 7, 2000. Upon information and belief, A. Pizza Contracting's

current principal business and nailing address is 155 Penobscot Street, Clifton, New Jersey 07013.

At varying times, A. Pizza Contracting has also maintained principal busizless addresses at 12$

Montrose Avenue, Rutherford, I~Tew Jersey fl7070, and/or 134 Washington Avenue, Rutherford, New

Jersey 07070.

6, t~. Pizza Contracting's registered went in the State is ~rithony Angelo Pizza. ("A.

~'izza") with a mailing address of

7. At all relevant tunes, upon information ar3d belief, ~.. Pizza has been tl~e managing

member of A. Pizza Contracting.

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8. AP Building &Construction, LLC a/k/a AP Builders &Construction, LLC {"AP

Building"} is a New Jersey limited liability company, formed. on November 30, 2012. Upon

in~orrnation and belief, at all relevant times, AP Building has maintained a business and mailing

address of i 56 Orono Street, Clifton, New Jersey 07013.

9. AP Building's registered agent in the State is ~. Pizza with a mailing address of

10. ~t all relevant tunes, upon infornlation and belief, A. Pizza has been the managing

member of ~P Building.

11. John and Jane Does 1 through 20 are fictitious individuals meant to represent the

owners, officers, directors, shareholders, founders, nlen~bers, managers,. agents, servants, employees,

representatives and/ox iXldepenclent contractors of A. Pizza Contracting and AI' Building who have

been involved in the conduct that gives rise to this Complaint, but are heretofore unknown to

Plaintiffs, l~s these defendants are ide~7tified, Plaintiffs shall amend t ie Complaint to include them.

12. XYZ Corporations 1 through 20 are fictitious corporations meant to represent any

additional business entities who have been involved in the conduct that gives rise to the Complaint,

bit are IZeretofore unknown to Plaintiffs. As these defendants aie identified, Plaintiffs shall amend

t1~e Complaint to include them.

13. Since at feast April 20 5, Defendants have t~ee~~ engaged in the advertisement,

offering for sale, sale azld performance of ~Zozne improvements in the State including; but not limited

to, roofing, remodeling basements, bathrooms as7d kitchens, maso~lry work such as patios,

driv~s~ays, and fro~7t steps, and various home extensions such as ga~~age addiiioz~s.

A. Home ~rnArovernent contractor Re~istrat ins & Neti~ Home Builder Registration:

14. On or about December 15, 2004, E1.. Pizza Contracting submitted to tlae Division a

Dome Improvement Contractor Application for Initial Registration {"HIC Registration Application")

for registration as a home improvement contractor {"I~IC") in the State.

15. On or about March 31, 2005, the Division registered A. Pizza Contracting as an HIC

az~d issued it registration number 13VH00254000.

16. A. Pizza Contracting subsequently filed with the Divsio~~ online registration renewal

applications on the following dates: November 26, 2006, November 11, 2007, November 11, 2008,

November 2, 2009, November 16, 2010, 1`lovember 8, 2011 and December 30, 2012, which was

valid thorough December 31, 2013

17. On November S, 2011, A. Pizza Contacting sut~mitted an onli~le renewal application

for the 2012 registration period and answered "yes" to question 1 wl~icl~ states: "You are req~,ured to

have a commercial general liability insurance policy in tkze amount of at least $500,000 per

occur~•ence at all times while registered as an HIC. Do you leave this insurance?"

1$. In or about February 2014, the Division became aware that l-~. Pizza Contracting's

commcrciai general liability insurance issued by Northfield Il~surance Company, policy number

X5111613, effective October b, 201.1 tluough October 6, 201.2, was cancelled an July 31, 2012.

19. On December 30, 201.2, A. Pizza completed an online renewal applicatio~~ on behalf

of A. Pizza Contracting for t11e 201.3 registration period and answered "ycs" to question 1 concerning

caTxrz~ercial ge~leral liability insurance.

20. In or abut February 2014, f~he Division became aware that ~. Pizza Co7~traeting's

con~i~ercial general liabilifiy insura~~lce .issued by Centlzry Surety Company, policy number

~Cl'790288, effective October 9, 2012 through October 9, 2013 was cancelled on January 20, 2013..

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21. As a result of the December 30, 2012 Renewal App icatiori, A. Pizza Contracting's

I-iIC registration was valid through December 31, 2013, at which time it expired.

22. On or about March. 18, 2014, A. Pizza filed on behalf of A. Pizza Contracting, a

Reinstatement Application,. along with acur-rent Certificate of Commercial General Liability

Insurance with the Division ("201.4 Reinstatement Application").

23. As part of the 2014 Reinstatement application, A. Pizza signed. a Statement in which

he certified that: "t11e information entered on this form is true and complete to the best of my

knowledge and. further acknowledge that if the above information is willfully false, I ant subject to

punishment and/or disciplinary action including a license suspension or revocation or the imposition

of civil penalties as may be provided by law."

24. The 2014 Reinstatement application included Question 1 which states: "Since you

filed your initial applie~tion, has any office, director, principal or persons with an ownership interest

of 10% or more been found liable in an administrative or civil suit for engaging in any of the

following: fraud, dishonesty, incompetence, nebligence, or professional or occupational

misconduct?" ~. Pizza answered. "No" to Question 1.

25. In or about Februaay 2014, the Division became aware that consumers Dr. George

and Coi-~ine Logothetis obtained an Order Confirming Arbitration 1~ward and Entering Judgment

against Defendants A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting ("Logothetis Order").

26. The Logothetis Order was entered on July 31, 2013 in the Superior Court of New

Jersey, Law Division, Bergen County, in t1~e Matter of Logothetis v. Anthony Pizza and A. Pizza

Contracting L.L.C.. docket number BER-L-4177-13. The Logothetis Oz~der confirms an arbitration

award of X2$4,584.20 based upon findings ofcommon-~ati~ and consumer fi and in connection with a

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contract for home improvement services between Dr. George and Corrine Logothetis and A. Pizza.

and A. Pizza Contracting.

27. On April 8, 2014, the Division issued a Provisional Order denying A. Pizza

Contracting's 201.4 Reinstatement Application because of its misrepresentations about the status of

its insurance and its failure to disclose the Logothetis Order. Specifically, for: (a) attempting to

obtain a registration through. fraud, decept oil or misrepresentation (the Logothetis Order); (b) having

engaged in the use or employment of dishonesty, fraud, deception, misrepresentation, false promise

or false pretense (the Logothetis Order); and (c) failing to maintain coinmereial general liability

nsurazlce in the minimum amount of $500,000 per occurrence at all tunes while rebistered as an

I-3IC,

2$. A. Pizza Contracting failed to respond to the Provisional Order of Denial.

29. On June 24, 2014, the I3ivision issued a Final Order of Denial of A. Pizza

Contracting's 2014 Reinstatement Appiicatioia.

30. At present, A. Pizza Contracting is not registered as an HIC with. the Division.

31. ~. Pizza Contracting also maintained a New Home Builder Registration. Number

032626 which was issued by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs {"DC~"}.

32. On or about May 31, 20I2, A. Pizza Contracting's New Home Builder Registration

Number 032626 expired.

33. On or about Au~st 2, 2012, A. Pizza stitbrnitted a renewal applicatio~~ to the DC~ on

~elialf of ~. Pzzza Contracting for renewal. of I~ew Home Builder Registration Number 03262b.

34. On or about January 30, 2013, the DCA issued an Order denying renewal of A. Pizza

Contractinb's New Hon1e Builder Registration Number 432626, #illdirag t17at A. Pizza Contracting

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failed to satisfy three arbitratzon awards concerning, among other things, failure to complete work

and improper workmanship (Claims: CL-10-0097; CL-12-0128 and CL-13-0017-2).

35. At all relevant times, AP Building has not been registered with the Division as an

36. At all relevant times, AP Building has 11ot beezl registered with the DCA as a new

home builder.

B, Defendants' Business Practices ~eneraIiy:

37. On at least two occasions, ~. Pizza and AP Building entered into contracts with

consumers and perfoz-med home improvements when ~P Buildi~~g was not registered as an HIC with

the Division.

3 8. At varying times, A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting failed to provide consunxers with

home improvement contracts.

39. A# varying times, A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting did not provide home

improvement contracts to consumers until after the work had commenced.

40. At varying times, Defendants failed to begin and/or complete -work on the agreed

upon date or tune period. represented orally or in the Dome improvement contract.

41. f1t varying times, A, Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting commenced home improvements

only to abandon the work and xlot return to the consuTners' homes for weeks, months or at all.

42. At varying tinges, Defendants failed to dive timely written notice to t11e consumer for

any delay in the performance of tl~e hc~n~e inlprove~nents and when the work tivould begin or be

con~~leted,

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43. At varying times, Defendants failed to respond to consumers' calls, e-mails andlor

teats inquiring into when Defendants would begin or continue home improvement work that they

had already commenced, but then been abandoned.

44. At varying times, consumers who were able to reach Defendants were given the "run

arouzld," and myriad excuses as to why Defendants could not start or had stopped. the home

improvement work..

45. At varying times, Defe~ldants provided consumers with a date and time for their

return to the consumers' homes, but then failed to appear.

4b. At varying times, A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting commenced home improvement

~~ork without confiz7n ng that any requisite permits had. been issued.

47. At varying times, A. Pizza and ~. Pizza Contracting failed to advise consumers that

an inspection was required after completiozl of home impi•oveinent work for zvhicil a permit shol~id

have been. issued.

48. At varying times, A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting failed to arrange for the required

inspections of the home improvement work. for which permits should leave been issued and obtained

complete payment from consumers.

49. At varying times, A. Pizza and ~. Pizza Contracting uliilaterally accelerated

previously agreed-upon payment schedules grid obtained complete payment without the work being

com~let~d.

50. fit varying times, Defendants unilaterally accelerated previously agreed-upon

payment schedules by representing that accelerated ~f~unds were necessary to purchase material, and

after receiving the accelerated funds, abandoned the home improvement v~~o~•~.

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51. At varying times, A. Pizza and ~.. Pizza Contracting informed consumers that

additional work or materials were necessary to complete home improvement work and that.

additio~zal costs would be incurred.

52. ~t varying times, A. Pizza. and A. Pizza Contracting failed to provide, upon request of

the consumer, copies of invoices evidencing that. Defendants ordered and/or purchased building

ana~erials (e~~., fixtures, cabinets, roof tiles} ~vitl~ accelerated andJor additional funds the consumer

had provided to Defendants for that purpose.

53. Upon information and belief, Defendants failed to purchase required materials with

accelerated. andlor additional monies supplied to them by consumers for that purpose.

54. At varying times, ~1. Pizza and ~. Pizza Cont~•acting stopped the contracted-for home

improvement wark, and then informed consumers that they would not continue the work unless the

consumers paid additional money.

55. ~t varying times, A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting accepted a down payment for

llozne improvement work under the condition that if a nnznicipality denied a req~iested permit,

Defendants would return the down payment, but then. failed to do so.

56. Upon information and belief, A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting took deposits, failed

to perform any home improvement work, and t11en refused to issue refunds.

57. In at least one instance, 1~. Pizza, on be~l~lf of AP Building, represented to a husb~~d

that he required ~2,~00 to purchase concrete to pour the foundation for a shed expansion. The

1lusbancl ap~raved the e;~penditure and told E1, Pizza to obtain the check from his wife. The Izusband

later found out that his wife provided a check #nor X3,500 based on A. Pizza's representation that. the

1lusband had. approved that amount. t~fter obtaining the cl3eck, A. Pizza abandoned the job and the

concrete vas clever pol~red.

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58. Iz~ at least one instance, A. Pizza, on behalf of AP Building, requested $3,000 in cash

f~a~n a consumer to buy supplies "that day" and. convinced the consumer to provide a check for

$3,OOfl, stating that it would not be cashed,. but would serve as a receipt for the insurance company

that the home improvement work was actually done. Upan infoz-mation and belief, A. Pizza

purchased i~o su~aplies. A. Pizza's wife cashed the check the next day.

59. ~t varying times, A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting installed a product that was

t~ifferent than what was agreed ~.ipon without consumers' consent (~, used floors and windows, the

wro~zg model door, tl~e wrong color shingtes).

60. At varying times, Defendants performed. hone iinprovemenfis in a substandard.

manner and failed to make the necessary corrective repairs including, but not limited to: {a)

installing gutter°s ghat leaked; (b} failing to install Tyvek paper under siding; (c) replacing a c~iveway

that shortly developed large cracks and cz~aters; (d) failing to properly seal surfaces or to install

dashing; (e) installing siding irr€properly as to void t11e warranty; and (~j repairing leaks in a manner

that nlacle the leaks worse.

61. At varying times; A. Pizza and. ~.1'izza Contracting caused damage to a consul~ler's

home while performing home iinpravements and their failed to fix, clean, or compensate the

consumer for the damage (e• a., allowing concrete splatter to diy on various stu-faces; putting holes in

screens, failing to place a tarp on open areas causing water damage.}

62. At~ varying times, when consun~ei•s called t~. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting about the

substandard work, Defendants represented that they would return to the consumers' homes and rriake

the necessary co~z-ective repairs, but then failed to do so.

63. At varying times, consumers attempted to contact Defendants regarding, among other

things, substandard z~ork, and Defendants failed to ~•ettxrn ~fl~e coz~siu~ers' calls.

11.

64. At varying times, consumers obtained. estimates from. or hired other contractors to

correct and complete ~. Pizza and ~. Pizza Contracting's home improvement work and incurred

substantial additional costs to do so.

65. At varying times, Defendants failed to perform home improvement work according to

the contract specifications, and demanded and received payment for said work.

66. At varying times, Defendants refused to issue a refund when. requested by consumers

after Defendants failed to perform the contracted-for home improvement work.

~. Defendants' Home Improvement ~ongracts:

67. At varying tines, Defendants provided consumers with hone improvement contracts

that did not include: (a) an acclzrate descript ova of the work to be done and the principal products

and. materials to be used or installed in perfo~•mance of the contracts; {b) the tel-~ns and conditions

affecting contract price, including the cost. of materials and the hourly rate for labor; {c) dates for the

commencement and/or completion of t11e borne improvement work; (d) the required "Notice to

Consti~mer•" cancellation language; (e) the foil-free telephone number provided by the Director of the

Division for consumers making inquiries concerning borne improvement contractors; (~ the

cont~•a~tor's registration number; and/or (g) the signatures of both. parties.

68. On at least two occasions, A. Pizza and l~P Building provided a consumer with a

home improvement cont~•act #:hat bore the Yams "~Y Builders and Construction, LLC,"but included

a refea•ence to the HIC Registration number for A. Pizza Contracting,

C~9. On at least two occasions, A. Pizza and ~P Building provided a consumer with. a

home izllprovement~ contract that bore the name "SAP Builders and Construction, LLC,"but included

a reference to tie N~ti~ Hone Builder's Registration I~Tumber foi• A. Pizza Contracting, which ire

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addition, was nod a valid registration number at the time, as the DCA had declined to reinstate the

expxed number.

70. On at least two occasions, once in September 2013 and once in February 2014, A.

Pizza and AP Building provided a consumer with a contract which contained the following

statements:

The above prices, specifications and conditions are satisfactory and are herebyaccepted together with the Terms and Conditions attached hez~eto. A SafewayCarlstruction, Inc. is authorized to .perform the work as specified and I, the Owneragree to make payments as set forth herein.

Signature: Print Name:. Dated:

IN CONSIDERATION of the Owner's p1~o~nise to make payments as set forthherein., A Safeway Construction, I~~c. hereby agrees to complete the. items of work setforth in the Description of Work to be Perfo~-~ned as specified.

~ SAFEWAY CONSTRUCTION, INC. Dated:

71. ~ Safeway Construction, Inc. was a defendant in I-loffnlan v. AAA Reliable et al.,

I3ER-C-225-12, and entered into a final Consent Judgment which was signed and filed with the

Couz~ by the -Ion: Menelaus W. Toskos, J.S.C. 071 July 13, 2013 ("AAA Reliable Consent

Judgment"). Pursuaslt to the AAA Reliable Consent Judgment, A Safeti~ay Construction, Inc. agreed

to cease advertising, offering for sale, selling and/or performing Dome improvements as of July 31,

2013, axed to ~•elinquish its ~-IIC Registration as o~f the same date.

72. On at least one occasion, A. Pizza and A. Pizza. Contracting provided a consumer

with a photocopy of a form contract from. another company. A. ~'izza Contracting's business card

vas stapled and copied over the ~tl~er c~~npany's name ai d the other company's telephone and fax

~iumbers and. address were crossed out, but the I~IC Registratiol~ number, 13VH04421300, tivas

visible. The HIC Registration number belongs to Italarg, LLC in ~'assaic, New Jersey, a company,

upon. infornl~tion and belief, which is unrelated to Defendants.

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C~Zl~1~rY

VIOLATION OF THE CFA BY DEFENDANTS{UNCONSCIQNABLE C+OlVII1~IERCIAL PRACTICES ANn ID~CEPTION)

73. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 72

above as if more fully set forth herein.

74. The CFA, N.J.S.A. 56:$-2, prohibits:

The act, use or e7nployinent by any person of any unconscionablecommercial practice, deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise,misrepresentation, or the knowing concealment, suppression, oromission of any material fact with intent that others rely upon suchconcealment, suppression or omission, in connection with. the sale oradvertisement o~ any merchandise oz• real. estate, or with theslzbsequent perforr~zance of such. person as aforesaid, whether or notany person has in fact been misled, deceived or damaged thereby...

75. The CFA defines "nlerchanc~ise" as including "any ol~jccts, wares, goods,

commodities, se7•vices or anything offered, directly or indirectly to tl~e ~~.iblic for sale." N.1.S.A.

56;8-1 {c).

"76. ~t all relevant times, Defendants have been el7gaged i1~ the advertisement and sale of

i~~ercha.~7dise wifihin the meaning ofN.J.S.A.56:8-1(c), including, but not limited ~o borne additions,

~•oofing, remodelil~g basements, bathrooms and kitchens, as well. as masonry work.

77. In the operation of their busi~lesses, Defendants have engaged in the use of

unconscionable commercial practices, deception, false promises and/or misrepresentations.

78. Defcr~da~3ts have engaged in unconscionable commercial practices including, but ~1ot

limited to, the follotiving:

a. Failing ~o begin or complete Dome improvement work oz~ the agreed upondate or tine period represented orally or in the home improveme~lt contract;

b. Failing to provide timely written notice fc~r any delay in the performance ofhome impz•ovenient work, as Jell as when work would commence or becor~~pleted

14

c, Commencing home improvement work then abandoning a project for weeksand/or months at a time;

~l. Commencing home improvement work. then abandoning a project totally;

e, Failing to respond to consumer's calls inquiring when home improvementwork would commence or continue;

f. Making appointme7~ts to go to consumers' homes to begin or continue homeimprovement work and then failing to keep the appointments,

g. Unilaterally accelerating previously agreed-upon payment schedules and/orreceiving full payment prior to completion of the home improvement work;

h. Taking consumers' payments and then failing to provide the contracted-forhome improvements;

Failing to purchase required materials with accete~°ated andlor additionaln7o~~ies supplied by eoi~sumers;

j. Performing home improvement work in a substandard manner and thenfailinb to l~lalce the necessary repairs;

k. Failing to perform home improvement work according to the contractspecifications and. demanding az~d receiving payment for the work;

1. Failing to respond to consumers' telephone calls, inquiries andlor complaintsin a timely manner or at all; c~I1C~

m. Reusing to issue a refund when so requested by consumers after Defendantsfailed to perform. the contracted-for home improvement work.

79. Defendants A. Pizza. and A. Pizza Contz•acting have engaged in uncozlscionable

commez~cial practices and deceptian i~leluding, but not limited to, the following:

a. Failing to provide consumers with a wi~~itt~n contxact andlo~ providing suchcontracts after• homy improvement work has commenced;

b, Providing a consumer wit11 a contract that contained. the HIC Registrationnumber for an unrelated company {Itala~~g, LLC);

c. Comnlcneing home improvement work ~~~ithout confirming that tl~e requisitepermits lead been obtained;

IJ

d. Failing to advise consumers that tlspections were required after thecompletion of certain home improvement work;

e. Failing to arrange for the required home improvement inspections andobtaining full. payment from consumers without doing so;

f. Inforn7ing consumers that additional work or materials were necessary tocomplete home improvements and that additional costs would. be incurred;

g. Stopping contracted for home improve711ent work arid. refuse torecommence work unless the consumers paid additional money;

h. Refusing to refund a consun3er's deposit after a municipality denied a permitfor the contracted for home improvement work;

i. Failing to provide consumers with goof of order andJor purchase ofcontracted-for materials;

j. Installing a product that was different and/or substandard than what wasagreed upon;

k, Perfor~ni~~g Home iin~rovement work iza a substandard manner- whichrequired consumers to hize a second contractor to correct. ~. Pizza and A.Pizza Coz~t7~actin~'s worl~;

Causing damage to a consumer's hone while performing hanaeimpravelnezlts and then failing to fix, clean, or compensate for the damage;

m. Failing to maintain commercial general liability insurance; and

n, Failing to x•epoi~t the Logothetis Order to the Division.

$0. Defendants ~. Pizza and AP Building have engaged ire unconscionable commercial

i~actices and. deception including, but not limited to, t11e following:

a. Entering into contracts andlor performing home improvement work while ~~otregistered with. the State as a home improvement contractor;

~a. Providing a cc~nsu e7° wit1~ a contract that contains the HIC Registrationzlumber for A. ~'izza Contracting;

c, Providing a consumer with a contract that contains the New Home BuilderRegistratio~~ Number for A. Pizza Contracting, 4~%I1ich vas also not a validregistratio~~~ number;

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d, Providing consumers with a contract in September 2013 and February 2014that contains a reference to and signature line for A Safeway Construction,Inc. which as of July 12, 2013, relinquished its HIC registration and agreed tocease advertising, offering for sale, selling and/or performing homeimprovements;

e. Obtaining a $3,000 cash payment from a consumer, then persuading the .consumer to write a check for that amount, by stating that the check wouldonly serve as ~ receipt for an insurance company that hone improvementwork had been done, and then cashing the check and failing to perform t1~ework; and

f, Obtaining approval from a consiuner for payment of $2,500 for the purchaseof concrete, then representing to the consumer's wife that the husband hadapproved a payment of $3,500, obtaining a c~~eck for $3,500, and then failingto purchase the concrete.

$1. each unconscionable commercial. practice and act of deception by Defendants

constit~~tes a separate violation under t]~e CFA, N.J.S.A. 56:$-2.

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$2. Plaintiffs repeat and. reallege the allegations contained in ~ara~raphs 1 through 81

above as if more fully set forth herein.

83. Defendants' conduct in violation of the CFA. includes, blzt is not limited to, the

following acts offalse promises andlor misrepresentations:

a. Representing to cons~imers that wo7k would bebin or be completed on anagreed upon date or time period, when sizclz was not the case;

b. Representing to eonsunlers that Defendants ~~ould appear at consumers'domes at a date certain to complete previously abandoned homeimproveme7~at work, tivhen such was not the case, and

c. Representi~ig to consumers that accelerated payments were necessa~~y topurchase materials, when such was not ~la~e case.

17

84. Defendants' A. Pizza and A. Pizza Contracting's conduct in violation of the CFA

includes, but is not limited to, the foilowirag false promises andlor misrepresentation:

a. Representing that they would return to consumers' 1lomes to performcorrective repairs, when such was not the case;

l~, Representing to consumers that certain materials had been ordered andlorpaid for, when such was not the case;

c. Representing that additional materials or monies were required to conspletehome improvement work, when suc11 was not the case;

d. Representing that a deposit or down payment would be returned to aconsumer if a municipality denied a permit, whe~7 such was not the case;

e. Representing that agreed upon products or materials would be used, v~~hensuch was not the ease; and

f, Representing on HIC Renewal Applica~ians that commercial general liabilityinsurance was active and in place when such was not the case.

85. I~efenda~lts' A. Pizza and AP Building's conduct in violation o~the CFA includes,

but is not limited to, the following false promises and/or misrepresentations:

a. Represezlting to a consumer, by way of inclusion of a~1 I-IIC Registrationnumber on its contract, flat AP Building is registered with tl~e Sate as ahome improvement contractor, when such is not the case;

b. Representing to a consiuner, by way of inclusion of a view home bliil~ders~•egis~t~atioi~ number on its con#ract, that AP B~iilding is registered with theState as a new home builder, when such is not the case; and

c. Representing to a consumer that a check rather t~lan eas~1 was necessary toprove to an insurance company that borne improvement work had beenperformed and that the check would not be cashed., when such u~as not thecase; and

d. Representing to a consumer's wife that X3,500 was required for the purchaseof coz3crete ,after representing to t11e consumer's husband that $2,500 wasrequired.

8b. Each false promise and/or misrepresentation by Defe~~daz~ts constitutes a sepa~~ate

~,~iolation under C~'A, ~?.J.S.~. 56:8-2

18

;i

87. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 86

above as if set forth more fully herein.

88. The Contractors' Registration Act, among other things, governs the registration of

Tonle improvement contractors vaith the Division.

89. At all relevant times, Defendants have been "Contractor[s~" Y~ithin the definition of

the Coi~tracto~•s' Registration Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-137.

90. At all relevant times, Defendants have offered to perform ar7d perfornled "~-Tome

Irnprovement[s]" within the definition of t11e Contractors' Registration Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-137.

91. At all relevant times, Defendants have ~i~~ered into "Horne Improvement Contract[s]"

within the definition of the Contractors' Registration Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-137.

92. The Contractors' Registration flct provides, in peztinent part.:

a. On o~~ after December 31, 2005, no person shall offer to pez-farin, orengage, o~• attempt to engage in the business of making or selling homeimprovements unless registered with the division of Consumer affairs inaccordance with the provision of this act.

[N.J. S.A. 56:8-13 8{a).]

93. At all relevant times, Defendants were not exempt from the Contractors' Registration

Act pt~~-suant to N.J.S.. 56:8-140.

94. The Contractors' Rebstration Act requires that home improvelnezits contracts

maintain al~su3•ance and provides in pertinent part:

a. On or afte~~ I~ec~mber 3I, 2005, every registered contractor who isengaged in dome improvements sha11 secure; maintain and file with thedirector proof of a certificate of eoznme~°eial general Liability insur~a~ce i~n a~ninimun~ amount of X500,000 per occurrence.

19

b. Every registered contractor engaged in home improvements whosecommercial. general liability insurance policy is cancelled or nonrenewedshall submit to the director a copy of the certificate of commercial generalliability insurance for a new or replacement policy which meets therequirements of subsection a. of this section before the former policy is nolonger effective.

[N.3.S.A. Sb:8-142(a), (b)•]

95. The Contractors' Registration Act requires that certain information must be displayed

by the Contractor and provides in pertinent part:

a, A11 registrants shall prominently display their registration numberswithin their places of business, in all advertisements distributed within thisState, on business documents, contracts and correspondence with consumersof home improvement services in this State, and on all commercial. vehiclesregistered in this State and leased or owned by registrants and. used byregistrants for the purpose of providing home improvements, except forvehicles leaded or rented to customers of registrants by a registrant or anyagent or representative thereof.

[N..T.S.A. 56:$-144(x).]

96. The Col~tractors' IZebistrat on Act further provides that."[t]he Director shall provide a

toll-free teleplloi~e number for consumers making inquiries regarding contractors." N.J.S.A. 56:8-

149{b). At all relevant tines, the Director established and has ~ublis~led such toll-free telephotle

number,

97. In this regard, the Contractox•s' Registration Act z•equires that:

b. Any i~lvoice, contract or correspondence given by a registrant to aconsumer shall prominently contain the to11-free telephone number providedpursuant to [N.J.S.~. Sb:8-149] of this pct."

98. Moreover, t11e Contractors' Registration Act includes a writi~~g requirement for

contracts priced in excess of X500.00 and provides, in pertinent part:

a, On or after I7eceznber 31, 2005, every home improverrient contract fora purchase price in excess of $500, and all changes in the terms and.conditions of the contract, shall be in writing. The contract shall be signed byall parties thereto, and shall clearly and accurately set forth in legible formand in understandable language all terms and conditions of the contract,including but. not limited to:

(1) The legal name, business address, and registration. number ofthe contractor;

{2) ~ copy of the certificate of cainmercal beneral liabilityinsurance required of a contractor pursuant to section 7 [C. 56:~-142]of this act and the telephone number of the insurance companyissuing the certificate; . , .

[N.J. S.A. 56: $-151(a).]

99. In addition, the Contractors' Registration Act req~.tires that hone improvement

contractors include cancellation language as follows:

b. ...The contract shall contain a conspicuous notice printed in at least10-point bold-faced type as follows:

"NOTICE TO CONSUMER

YOU MAY CANCEL THIS CONTRI~CT AT ANY TIME BEFOREMIDNIGHT OF TIIE THIRD BUSINESS DAY AFTEFZRECEIVING A COPY OF THIS CONTRACT. IF YOU WISH TOCANCEL ~I'~-IIS CUI~TTRACT, YOU MUST EITHER:

1. SEND ~ SIGNED t~ND DATED WFZITTEN NOTICE OFCANC~LLA~I'ION BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL,RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED; OR

2. PERSONALLY DELIVER A SIGNED AND DATEDV~RITTEN NOTICE OF CANCELLATION TO:

(I~Tame of Contractor)

(Address of Contractor)

(Fho~~e Number of ~;ontzactor)

21

If you. cancel this contract within the three-day period, you areentitled to a fu11 refund of your rno~ley. Refunds must be made within30 days of the contractor's receipt of the cancellation notice."

[N.J.S.A. 56:8-151 {b}.]

100. Defendants have engaged in conduct in violation of the Contractors' Registration Act

including, but not limited to, the following:

a. Failing to include on invoices and home improvement contracts the toll-freetelephone number provided by the ID rector for consumers to call withinquiries or complaints concerning home improvement contractors {NJ.S.A.56:8-144(b));

b. Failing to include on home improvement contracts the signatures of bothparties (N.J.S.A. 56:8-151(a));

c. Failing to include with. home improvement contracts a copy of Defendants'ce~-tific~te of coin~nercial general liability insurance as we11 as t11e telephonenumbez• of the company issuing the certificate (N.J.S.A. 56:8-151(a)(2)); and

d, Failing to include the "Notice to Consumer" required cancellation languagein home improvement contracts (N.J.S.A. 56:8-151(b)).

1 O 1. Defendants 1-~. Pizza a~zd ~. Pizza Contracting; have engaged in conduct in violation

of the Contractors' Registration Act including, blit not limited to, the following:

a. Failing to maintain commercial general liability insurazzee (N.J.S.~_ 56:8-142(a) {b));

~, Failing to include the ~~IC Registration number on home improvementcozltracts with consumers in t11e State (N.7.S.A. 56:8-144(a) and N.J.S.A. 56;8-151 {~){1)); and

Failing to provide consumers wit~n a written hone impi•Qvenlent contract(N.J.S.~. 56:8-151(x)).

1.02. Defe~7dants A. Pizza and 1~T' Building have. engaged. in conduct in violatioxl of the

Contractors' Registration Act including, I~ut ~~ot limited to, the following:

a, Entering into Dome improvement contracts and. providing home improvementcontractor services without being rebistered with the State as a homeimprovement contractor {N.J.S.A. 56:$-13${a)).

22

103. Defendants' conduct constitutes multiple violations of the Contractors' Registration.

~.ct, N.J.S.A. 56:$-136 et seq.

COUNT IV

i , ~ ~ ~ ~~, ~ ~ i 1.

104. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege the allegations contained. in paragraphs 1 through 103

above as if more fully set forth herein.

105. The Contractor Registration Regulations, l`,T.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.1 et sec ., among other

things, px ovide procedures for tl~e registration of home improvement contractors with the Division.

106. At all relevant times, Defendants have been "Home Improvement Contractor[s]"

andlor "Contractor[s]" within the definition of the Contractor Registration Regulations, N.J.A.C.

13:45A-17.2.

107. At atl relevant times, Defendants have performed "Home ~rriprovem~nt[s]"within the

definition of the Contractor Registration Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-1.7.2.

108. At all relevant times, Defendants have "~dvertise[d]"home improvements within. the

mean n of the Contractor Registration Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.2.

109. At all relevant times, Defenda~lts have entered into "~-Io7ne Improvement Contract[s]"

r~~ithin the definition of the Contractor Registration Regulations, N.J.~..C. 13:45A-17.2.

110, The Contractor Regist~atio~~ Regulations provide, in pertinent part:

{a) [On or after December 31, 200 , uliless exempt under N..T.A.C.13:45A-1.7.4:

1. No person. shall engage in the business of makixlg or selling Homeirnproveine~lts in t13is State unless registered with the I?ivision in accordalacewith this subchapter; .. .

~..~.A.c. l~:~s~~-1~.3{~~.~

ZJ

111. At all relevant times, Defendants were not exempt from t1~e Division's contractor

registration requirements.

112. The Contractor Registratio7~ Regulations further provide, in pertne7lt part:

a. Each home improvement contractor required. to be registered underthis subchapter sha11 i7litially register with the Division by submitting thefollowing on farms provided by the Director:

5, Whether the entity, any officer director,. principal or person with anownership interest of 10 percent or more ...has been adjudged liablein an administrative or civil action involving any of the situations in(a)Si through vi below. For the purposes of this parabraph, ajudgment o~Iiability in an administrative or civil action shall includebut. not be limited to, any finding or admission that the entity, officer,director, pril~cipaI or person wit11 an ownership interest ...engagedi31 ~n unlaw~itl practice.... regardless of whether that ~indirlg wasmade in the context of an injunction, a proceeding resulting in thedenial, suspension or revocation of a license ...consented to anassurance of voluntary ct~znpliance or any similar order or legalag~•eemeni .. .

i, Obtained any registration, certi~ieation or license by fraud,dece~~tion ~r misrepresentation;.

ai. Engaged. in the use or employment of dishonesty, fraud,deceptio~~ misrepresentatio~l, false pro~~ise or false pretense;

~. Whether the entity, any officer, director, principal or person with anownership irlteres~ of 10 ~ercei~t or zno~•e in the hofne improvementcontractor business has had their authority to engage in the activityregulated by the Director revoked or suspended by any other state,agency or aut~~ority.

[N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.5(a)(5), (7).]

11~. Defendants have a duty to update their registration information and the Contractor

Registrations Regulations provide in pertinent part.:

24

a. Whenever any infozm~tion required to be included in the applicationchanges, or if additional information should be added. after the filing of theapplication, the applicant ...shall provide that information to the Director, inwriting, within 20 calendar days of the change or addition... .

[N.J.A.C. 13 :45A-17.7{a).

114. The Contractor Registration Regulations require that home improvement contractors

prominently display certain information and provide, in perti7~er~t part:

~d) ~ registered dome improvement contractor shall prominently display:

2. Tl~e contractor's registration number on all advertisements distributedwithin this State, on business dacuments, contracts andcorrespondence with consumers of ~~ome improvement serviceswithin the State.

(~ ~s of November 4, 2008, at7y invoice, cont~°act or corzespondence given by aregistrant to a consumer shall prominently contain the toll-free telephone~~iu~lber provided by the Division pursuant to {b) of N.J.S.A. 56:8-149 azzdshall be displayed in all cads in at least 10-point bold-dace type as fallows:FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CONT~ZACTORS AND THECONTRACTORS' KEGISTR~TION ACT, C~NTAC'F TIDE NSW JERSEY'DEPARTMENT OF LAW ANI~ PUBLIC SAFETY, DIVISICIN OFCONSUMER AFFAIRS ~T 1-888-656-6225.

[N.~.a.c. ~3:4s~-1~.~1(~)(z)~ (~~~

115. ~ urtl~er, the Contractor Registration Regulations provide that:

~a) Every registered 11on1e improvement contractor shalt secure anc~anaintai~n in full force and effect d~.uing t1~e entire term of registi°anon acoznznercial general liability insurance policy and shall file with the Director,proof that such insurance is in full force at~d effect.

{b) The insurance policy ...shall provide a minilnul~~ eove~~age in theamount of $500,000 per occurrence. Every registered contractor ...whosecommercial general liability insurance policy is canceled or no~irenewed si7allsubmit to the Director° a copy of the certificate o~ comn~e~•cial general liabilityinsurance fora 71ew or replacemezlt policy, which meets the requirements of(~) above before the fc~i~~cr policy is no longer effective.

[N.J.A.C. 13:45A-1.7.12{a), (b)

11.6. Additionally, the Cosltractor Registration Regulations pz•ovide that:

~j

In addition. to the requirements of a home irnprovernent contract.pursuant to N.J.~.C. 13:45-1b.2, every home improvement contract inwhich a person required to be registered as a home improvement contractor isa party shall comply with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 56:8-151.

[I~1.J.A.C. 13 :45A-17.13.E

117. Defendants have engaged in conduct in violation of the Contractor Registration

Regulations including, but. not limited to, the following:

a. Failing to include o;l home improvement contracts the informationalstatement and toll-free telephone number provided by the Director forconsumers making inquiries regarding contractors (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-1?.11(x); a~zd

b. Entering into dome improvement contracts that did not comply with therequirements of N.J.S.A. Sb:8-I S I (e.~., failing to set forth the signature ofboth parties) (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-1.7.13).

118. Defendants ~. Pizza. and. A. Pizza Contracting have engaged in conduct in violation

of tl~e Contractor Registration Reglrlations including, but not limited to, tI1e following:

~. Failing to inform the Division on the 2014 Reinstatement ~pp~icatio~l thatDefendants had been found liable for common-law and consumer fraudpursuant to the Logothetis Order {N.J.f~.C. 13:451-I7.5{a)(5) and N.J.A.C.

b. Failing to inform the Division upon entry of the DCA ~rde~ or nn the 2014R~iixstaten~ent Applicatian that on January 30, 2013, the DCA had denied theReinstatement Application for New Home Builders' Registration numbez•032626 for failing to satisfy various arbitration awards (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-~7.S~a)(7J andN.7.A,C. 13:4~A-17.7(a));

c. Failing to i~~clude in home improvement coxxtracts the ~IIC Registrationnumber {N.J.~.C..1.3:45A-17.11(d)j, and

d. ~ ailing to maintain commercial general liability insurance {N.J.A.C. 7 3:~SA-

1.19. Defendants A. Pizza. and AP Building Izave engaged in conduct in violation of the

Contractor Registration Regulations izlclud ng, but not limited to, the following:

26

a. Entering into contracts and performing home improvement services while notregistered with the State as a home improvement contractor (N.J.A.C.13:45A-17.3{a)(l)).

1.20. Defendants' conduct constitutes multiple violations of the Contractor Registration

Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.1 et sew., each of which constitutes a der se violation ofthe CFA,

N.J.S.A. 56:8-1 et sec,.

~ ,i ~;,• , ~ ~ ~,,

121. ~'laintiffs repeat and ~•eallege the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 120

above as if more fully set forth herein.

122. The I-Iame Improvement Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.1 et sew., among other

thuigs, p~-ollibit certain acts anti practices of a seller connected ~~ith a sale, advertisement or

~~erfo~:zz~ance of home improverrient contracts.

123. Defendants are "Seller[s]" within the definition o~N.J.A.C, 13:45 -16.1.

i24. At all ~eleva~lt times, Defendants entered into "IIornc Improvement Coniract[s]"

within. tl~e defintio~~ of N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.1.

125. The Dome Improvement Regulations prohibit certain practices with regard to the

performance of home improvement contracts, as follows:

a. Without limiting any other practices which may be unlawf~il under theConsumer Fraud. Act, N.J.S.A. X6:8-1 et seq., utilization by a seller of thefollowing acts and practices involving tl~e sale, atte~npfied sale, advertisementor performance of home i7nproveme7~ts shall be unlawful hereu7~der.

3. Bait selling:

iv. Substitute products or materials for those specified in thehorzae im~~ro~,~znent contract, or otherwise represented or sold

27

for use in the making of home improvements by sample,illustration or model, without the knowledge or consent of thebuyer;

6. Pricing and. fina3lcing:

v. Request the buyer to sign a certificate of cornpletior~ or makefinal payment on the contract before the Name irriprovementis completed in accordance with the terms of the contract;

7, Performance:

ii. Fail to begin or complete work on the date or within the timeperiod specified in the home improvement contract, or asotherwise represented... .

iii. Fail to give timely written notice to the buyer of reasons,beyond the seller's control for any delay in the performanceaz1d when work will begin or be cozn~leted.

10. Building permits:

i. No seller contracting for the snaking of home improvementsshall. commence work ~intil he is sure that all applicable stateor local building and contraction permits have been issued asrequired under state laws or local ordinances;

ii. Where midpoint or finial inspections are required under statelaws or Iocal ordinances, copies of inspection c~rtifica~esshall be furnished to the buyer by talc seller when constrt~ctiollis completed. and. before final payment is due or the signing ofa completion slip is requested of the buyer.

12, Home improvement contract zequireznents-writing requirement: X11home improvement contracts for a purchase price iii excess of$SOO.QO, and all changes in the terms and eoiiditions thercoi shall bein writing. ~-~ome improvement cont~raets which are required by t13issubsectioiz to be in writing, and. all changes in the terms and~oraditions thereof, shall be signed by all parties thereto, and shall.clearly and accuz•ately set forth in legible forrr~ and in undet•standable

28

language all terms and conditions of the contract, including, but notlimited to, the following:

ii. A description of the work to be done and the principalproducts and materials to be used or installed in performanceof the contract. The description s~3a11 include, whereapplicable, the name, make, size, capacity, model, and modelyear of principal products or fixtures to be znstalied, and thetype, tirade, quality, size ar quantity of pri~lc pal building oxconstruction materials to be used. Where specificrepresentations are made that certain types of products ormaterials will be used, or the buyer has specified that certaintypes of products are to be used, a description of suchproducts or materials shall be clearly set forth in the contract;

iii. The fatal price o~- other consideration to be paid by the buyer,including all finance chal•ges. If t1~e contract is one for timear~cl materials, the hotu-ly rate for labor and all other terms andconditions of the contract affecting price s1~a11 be clearlystated;

iv. The dates or time period on or within which the v.~ork is tobebin and be completed. by the seller;

[N.7.A.C. 13:45A-16.2(a){3)(iv), {6)(v), {7}(ii-iii}, {10) (i-ii), (12)(ij-(iv).]

126. Defendants violated the Home Improvement Regulations by e~~gaging in certain

co~~duct including, but not limited to the following:

a. Failing to begin or complete home improvement work on the date or withi~lthe tin3e period represe~~ted (N.J.A,C. 13:45A-16.2(a){7){ii));

b. Failing to give timely written notice to consLu~lers of reasons, beyondDefendants' control, for any delay in the performance or when. homeiinprovcme~~t work will begin or be completed (N.J.A.C. 13:45~-16.2(a}{7){iii)};

c, Failing to include in 1~an1e improvement contracts the signature of bothparties {N~J.A.C. 13:45A-1b.2(a)(12));

d, Failing to incl~.ide in home improvement contracts a description of t~~e workto be done and the principal products and matel-ials to be «sed ox installed (N.J.A.C.I3:45A-ib.2(a)(12){ii});

?9

e, Failing to include in home improvement contracts the total price to be paiditicluding the hourly rate for labor and all other terms and conditionsaffecting price (N.J.A.C. 13:4SA-16.2(a}{12)(ii)); and.

Failing to include in Name fmprovcment contracts the date or time period onor within which work is to begin and be completed (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.2(a}(12){iv).

127. Defendants A. Pizza a~1d A. Pizza Contracting violated the Hon1e Impx~ove~nent

Regulations by engaging in certain conduct including, but not limited to the fc~ilowing:

a. Substituting products or materials for those specified in the homeimprovement contract or otherwise represented without the knowledge orconsent of t11e buyer {N.J.A.C. 13:45A-1 b.2(a)(3)(iv));

b. Requesting that cons«mers make final payment on the contract .before thehome improvement is completed in accordance wit11 the terms of the contract{N.J.A.C.13:45A-16.2(6)(v));

c, Commencing home improvement work without confirminb that the requisitepermits had been issued (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-1b.2(10)(i)j;

d, Failing to provide copies of inspection certificates to consumers beforerequestinb final payment {N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.2(10){ii)); and

e. Failing to provide consumers with a written home improvement contract.N.~.~.c. ~3:as~-~~.2~a~~~z~}.

128. Defendants' conduct constitutes nlui#iple violations of the F-Iome I7n~roveznent

Regulations, N.J,A.C. 13:~5~-16.1 et sue., each of which constitutes a der se violation of the CFA,

N.J.S.A. 56:$-1 et sec .

~0

f ~ ~ ~• #~, . ~

129. Plaintiffs repeat and reallege the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 tl~~oug17 128

above as if more fully set fartlz herein.

130. Afi all relevant times, A. Pizza has been an owner, Chief Executive Officer, President,

or managing member ofA. Pizza Contracting and AP Building, and leas controlled, diaected and/or

participated in the management and operation of those entities, includixlg the conduct alleged in this

Complaint.

131. The conduct of ~. Pizza makes hi~n personally liable for the violations of t~1e CFA,

the Contractors' Registration Act, t11e Co~ltractor Registration Regulations, andJor the ~-Iome

Im~z•ovement Regulations committed by A. Pizza Contracting axed AP Building.

t

WI IFREFORE, based upon t11e foregoing allegations, Plaintiffs respectfully request that the

Court inter judgment agaizlst Defendants:

(a) Findiz7g that the acts and omissions of Defendants constitute multipleinstances of unlawful practices in violation oFthe CFA, N.J.S.A. 56:$-1 etsue, tl~e Contractors' Registration Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et sec ., tl~eContractor Registration Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:4.5-17.1 et sec,, and theI-~oine Improvement Regulations, N.J.~.C. 13:45A-16.1 et sec .;

{h) Permanently enjoining Defendants and their ov,Tners, officers, directors,shareholders, founders, members, managers, agents, servants, employees,representatives, independent cozltractors and all other persons or entitiesdirectly under their contz•ol, from e~lgaging in, continuing to engabe in ordoing any acts or practices in violation of the CFA, N.J.S.. 56:$-I et sec .,the Contractfl~~s' Registration Aet, N.J.S.A. Sb:8-136 et sec ., the ContractorRegistration Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.1 ~t sec ., and the HomeIrnprovei~nent Reg~zlatio~ns, N.J.A.C. 13:~5~-16.1 et seq.; iilcli~ding, but not

31

limited to, the acts and practices alleged in this Complaint, as authorized bythe CFA, N.J.S.A. 56:$-8;

fie) Permanently enjoining Defendants from owning, opez•ating or otherwisemanaging any business or other entity in the State, whether registered withthe Division or not, that advertises, offers for sale, sells and/or performs HICServices within the State;

(d) Permanently enj Dining Defendants fram the advertisement, offer for sale, saleand performance of HIC Services within the State;

fie) Directing the assessment of restitution amounts against Defendants, jointlyand severally, to restore to any affected person, v~~hether or not named in thisComplaint, any money or real or personal property acquired by means of anyalleged practice 1lerein to be unlawful and found to be unlawful, asauthorized by N.J.S.A. 56:8-8;

(~ Canceling t~1e CertFcates of Formation in the State of New Jersey for A.Pizza Contracting, LLC and AP Building & Constz~uction LLC a/k/a AP}3uilders &Construction., LLB, as authorized by the CFA, N.J.S.A. 56:$-8;

(g) Assessing tl~e n~axi~n~,im statutory civil penalties against Defendants, jointlyand. severally, for each and every violation of the CI1~, in accorda~lce withN.J.S.A. 56:8-13;

(h) Directing the assessment of costs and. fees, ~lcluding attorneys' fees, againstDefendants, jointly and severally, for the use of the State of New Jersey, asauthorized by the CFA, N.J.S.A. Sb:B-1 i and. N.J.S.A. 56:8-19; and

Vii) Crl-antin~ such othcx~ ~•elief as the interests of justice may require.

Dated: October ~, 2014Newark., I~Tew Jersey

JOHN J. HOFT'MANACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW TERSEYAttorney for Plaintiffs

,.._ -,

Y~Cathleen O'DonnellDeputy Atton~ey GeneralConst~zner F~~aud Prflsec~.ztion Section

32

RULE 4:5-1 CERTIFCATI4N

I certify, to the best of my information and belief, that the matter in this action involving the

aforementioned violations of the CFA, N.J.S.A. Sb:B-1 et sect., the Co7itractors' Registration Act,

N.J.S.A. Sb:8-136 et sec ., the Contractor Registration Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45A-17.1 et secs,

and the Home Improvement Regulations, N.J.A.C. 13:45 -16.1 et sue., is not the subject of any

other action pending in any other coLtrt of this State. I am aware that private contract and other

actions have been brought against the Defendants, but have no direct information that any such

actions involve consumer fraud allegatians. I further certify, to tl~e best of my information and

belief, that the matter in controversy in this action is not the subject of a pending arbitration

proceeding in this State, nor is any other action or arbitration proceeding contemplated. I certify that

there is no other party wlao should be joined in this action at this time.

JOI-IN J. ~-IOFFMANACTIItirG AZ"I"ORNEY GENERAL OF NEW .TERSEYattorney for I?lainti~fs

.___~~ ~%By: .~..~

Cathleen O'DonnellI~epu#y Attorney GeneralConsumer Fz~aud Prosecution.

dated: October ~~ , 2014I~lewark, Ne~v Jersey

RULE 1:38-7{c) CERTIF3C~TION OF C~MPLIANCC

I certify that confidential personal identifiers have been redacted from documents now

submitted to the court, and will be redacted from ail documents submitted. in the firture in accordance

with Rule 1;38-7(b),

TOHI'~ J. HO~FMANACTING ~TTO~ZNEY GENER~~I, OF NEW JERSEYAttorney for Plaintiffs

Cathleen O'DonnellDeputy Attorney Ge~leralConsumer Fraud Prosecutiol~ Section

Dated: October ~, 2014Newark, New Jersey

I l7:~f.`l [l~►~111 [!l►(!~ OTI-i1 t~ n 1[~ilidr(.`3 DIM

Pursuant to R. 4:25-4, Deputy attorney General Cathleen O'Doiu1e11 is hereby designated as

trial counsel for the Plaintiffs in this action.

Dated: (?ctober ~~ 2Q14i~Tewark, Netiv Jersey

JOI-~N J. HflFFMANACTING ATTORNEY GENE~L OF NEW JERSEYAttorney fox Plaintiffs

`, .;,,

By: ~ ~ ~'J f~~~~~~~~~Cathleen O'DonnellDeputy Attorney GeneralCc~z~su~ner Fraud Prosecution Section

34