Home Improvement Contractor Ordered to Pay Over $4.4 Million for Violating Maryland Consumer Protection Laws

Published On:

A Final Order was issued by the Consumer Protection Division of Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, mandating that Optimum Construction, Optimum Interiors, and their proprietor, Amr Omar Elrahimy, pay more than $4.4 million in penalties and restitution for not finishing home improvement projects after receiving payments from Maryland customers.

According to the press statement that was sent out on Wednesday, June 18: Attorney General Anthony G. Brown declared today that Optimum Construction, Inc., Optimum Interiors, Inc., and its owner, Amr Omar Elrahimy, of Derwood, had been the subject of a Final Order issued by his Consumer Protection Division for breaching the Consumer Protection Act. It was discovered that the businesses and their owner had promised Maryland customers home renovation products and services, collected deposits and payments, and then neglected to finish the projects or provide refunds.

According to the Final Order, Elrahimy, Optimum Interiors, and Optimum Construction must pay $2,452,000.00 in civil penalties and restitution of at least $2,007,459.27. Additionally, they must first post a $1,000,000.00 surety bond with the Consumer Protection Division before they may serve as sales agents or home improvement contractors in Maryland.

According to the inquiry, an unlicensed salesman was sent to customers’ homes and presented them with contracts that did not adhere to Maryland law. After collecting payments and promising project start and completion dates, the firms embezzled the money. According to reports, Elrahimy used the funds to support unrelated enterprises and a costly personal lifestyle. Additionally, they gave false information about the status of projects and neglected to reimburse any money when work wasn’t finished.

Twenty impacted consumers’ statements and supporting documentation were examined by the Office of Administrative Hearings. The Consumer Protection Division came to the conclusion that Elrahimy and the companies had committed several violations of the Consumer Protection Act, resulting in significant financial injury, based on the record.

Customers should call the Consumer Protection Division’s hotline at (410) 528-8662 if they have any queries.Maryland Attorney General’s website

Leave a Comment