Bismarck  (CSi) The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection division sued Matt D. Lano of LaMoure, N.D., doing business as Dakota Pole Buildings Inc., for violations of the consumer fraud and contractor licensing laws. Neither Lano nor his business has ever held a contractor’s license.

The web site story says, Consumer Protection division initiated an investigation in September 2017, after receiving a complaint about Lano. Investigators learned that over the past three years, Lano had taken numerous advance payments from homeowners in Barnes, Burleigh, Stutsman and McLean counties, for the construction of pole buildings on their properties, but had not completed any of the work. The LaMoure County District Court found Lano was operating without a contractor’s license, abandoned consumer projects, diverted consumer funds and had engaged in consumer fraud, and entered a judgment against him. The District Court’s judgment includes $5,650 in civil penalties, fees and costs to the Attorney General’s Office. Several individuals also filed their own lawsuits against Lano for similar violations and obtained civil judgments against him.

The court banned Lano and his company from working as a contractor for a minimum of three years and until he has paid in full all consumers to whom he owes refunds as well as the civil penalties, and thereafter he cannot work as a contractor unless properly licensed.

Parrell Grossman, director of the Consumer Protection Division, asked homeowners to contact the LaMoure County Sheriff’s Office at 701-883-5720 with new reports of Lano’s construction fraud.

Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said homeowners should make sure a contractor is properly licensed before handing over any money.