COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio — A Northeast Ohio construction company is facing a lawsuit from the state following accusations that it pocketed money and failed to complete projects.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced on Thursday that he is suing Diamond Ridge Construction Services and owners Thomas Boyd and Brian Stepp for alleged violations of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Ohio Home Construction Service Supplies Act. The lawsuit, filed in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, alleges that the Columbia Station-based company pocketed more than $289,000 and failed to complete construction projects, in addition to engaging in other unacceptable behavior.
“We will not tolerate predatory practices that threaten the hard-earned money of Ohioans,” Yost said in a statement. “This serves as a stark reminder that accountability will be exacted for such unscrupulous behavior.”
The Attorney General’s Office says that it is responded to 13 consumers who lodged complaints against Diamond Ridge for a cumulative loss of $289,337.17, arising from contracts made from April 6, 2022, to March 31, 2023. Complaints include a completed project in which the customer later learned a lien had been placed on the property due to non-payment by Diamond Ridge, projects that were started but not finished with no refunds issued and "a pattern of Stepp and Boyd failing to obtain the appropriate contractor registrations permits."
The lawsuit comes five years after Attorney General's Office secured a default judgment and permanent injunction against Stepp and his home improvement company Ashley Contractors. The new lawsuit seeks to have Diamond Ridge, Stepp and Boyd reimburse consumers and pay civil penalties and court costs.