Attorney general sues area contractor for tornado fraud

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster's office yesterday filed suit against a Reeds Spring man and his construction company alleging the defendants failed to provide goods and home repair services paid for by Joplin tornado victims.

The lawsuit alleges that E. Brian Sides, and his company, Branson West-based ABP Quality Construction Inc., charged homeowners for tens of thousands of dollars worth of items such as title, cabinets and appliances, but either stopped working on the homes without finishing the work or failing to deliver supplies and appliances that had been paid for, according to a news release from the attorney general's office.

The release noted that in many cases, the victims went elsewhere for purchase items, resulting in additional costs.

Koster is seeking a restraining order against Sides, which would require him to stop operating a construction business and make restitution payments to the victims. The attorney general also is asking the court to enforce civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and to require the defendants to pay all court, investigation and prosecution costs.

“I want to assure consumers that this office will never stop pursuing those who engage in this illegal behavior," Koster said in the release.[[In-content Ad]]