Consent judgment obtained for false sale of aircraft

Attorney General Chris Koster has obtained a consent judgment against a Springfield man for allegedly violating the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.

In a news release, Koster said Douglas Hart, owner of Hart Aero - who was living in Howell County at the time of the infractions - sold airplanes and light aircraft to consumers nationwide through his Web site but failed to deliver the completed aircraft or refund his customers' money.

With the consent judgment, Hart agreed to pay $60,830 in restitution and $3,000 in reimbursement for the state for the cost of the investigation and enforcement of the Missouri Merchandising Practice Act. The court additionally issued a permanent injunction against Hart, prohibiting him from violating the act, from advertising or offering aircraft for sale, and from soliciting or obtaining money from the sale of aircraft, the release said.

“Consumers have a right to have full confidence that a company’s ads and sales pitches are honest and accurate,” Koster said in the release.  “Businesses that try to profit by deceiving Missouri consumers should understand that the attorney general’s office will take action.”[[In-content Ad]]