Koster obtains judgment against Springfield computer repairman

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster yesterday announced his office obtained a judgment against a Springfield computer repairman for violations of state laws.

Richard Sims, who operated now-defunct repair company Phoenix Technologies of the Future Inc., was ordered to pay nearly $6,000 in restitution to 14 customers, $500 in civil penalties and $600 to the state’s Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund for consumer education. Sims already has returned several computers at the request of Koster’s office, according to a news release.

Koster’s office alleged a handful of violations against Sims and Phoenix Technologies, including:
    •    misrepresenting the company as employing more than 1,600 technicians when Sims was the only employee;
    •    advertising a flat rate for computer repairs when customers actually were charged additional payments after shipping their computers to Sims’ home;
    •    destroying or disposing of computers without customers’ permission; and
    •    returning computers to customers without performing repairs.

The judgment obtained by Koster’s office also prohibits Sims from operating a computer repair business in the future.

“Mr. Sims clearly had no intention of running a legitimate business,” Koster said in the release. “In addition to restitution for consumers harmed by his actions, this judgment closes his sham business down for good.”