LIVONIA — A local couple accused of shady business practices while providing snowplowing and landscaping services under more than a dozen company names must now pay both the state and their former customers.
Attorney General Dana Nessel announced in a press release Wednesday, Jan. 8, that she’d obtained a consent order resolving a year-long lawsuit against John and Michele Church, who’ve had more than 200 complaints filed against them since 2010.
“It is my hope that this agreement not only provides relief to impacted customers but also serves as a warning to businesses that my department will defend customers and their rights under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act,” Nessel wrote in the release. “This outcome was only made possible by the consumers who filed complaints with my office, and I encourage anyone who suspects they have been targeted by illegal or predatory business practices to contact us.”
A local couple accused of shady business practices while providing snowplowing and landscaping services under more than a dozen company names must now pay both the state and their former customers.
Sean Murphy, an attorney listed in court records for the Churches, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
According to Nessel, businesses owned and operated by the Churches have included:
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John Church’s Snow Service, Inc.
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Friendly Neighborhood Lawn Service
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Greenkeepers Lawn and Landscape
An investigation into unlawful business practices by the Churches began in 2017. The following year, the couple agreed to cease unfair or deceptive business practices, pay a $15,000 fine, compensate any affected customers, compensate the AG’s Office for investigative costs, and cease to create any new same-service entities without notifying the state.
But in December 2023, Nessel sued the Churches, alleging they’d resumed abusing their customers with breaches of contract, unfair and deceptive business practices, failing to fulfill refund requests, grossly misrepresenting the scope and quality of the work being offered, and misleading consumers as to their legal rights to post and publish honest reviews and complaints.
Under the consent order announced by Nessel on Wednesday, the Churches have agreed to pay the AG’s Office a whopping $50,000 for its enforcement efforts, a portion of which will be distributed among affected consumers, Nessel said.
The Churches have also agreed to dissolve their business entities and are permanently barred from incorporating, operating, or working for any business offering snow removal, lawncare, or landscaping in Michigan.
Customers who believe they should be considered for a reimbursement under the consent order, or who suspect they are the victims of illegal or predatory business practices by other entities, are encouraged to contact the AG’s Consumer Protection Team at P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909, or by calling 517-335-7599 or 877-765-8388.
They can also fill out a complaint online at secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx.
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Livonia couple accused of illegal business practices must pay $50K