Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a lawsuit against Tampa-based solar company and its owners, accusing them of scamming hundreds of consumers, a list that includes seniors, persons with disabilities and veterans, according the AG’s office.

Moody said in a news release that, MC (Modern Concepts) Solar and Roofing, and owners, Armando Almirall, Raman Chopra, and Michael Crowder, used a variety of “deceptive and unscrupulous business practices to induce consumers into entering expensive” residential contracts. Moody said the investigation found that, “After securing the financing, the defendants then paid themselves without completing installations, and in some cases, even damaged consumers’ homes.”

“Their business practices were extreme, from abandoning contracts and damaging homes to forging applications, causing liens on homes and even threatening consumers with legal action — all to unjustly enrich themselves and fund a lavish lifestyle,” Moody said.

The state is looking to permanently ban MC Solar from ever conducting business in Florida again, as well as seeking restitution for consumers.

According to the civil complaint, MC Solar performed all steps to market and commit the consumer into a solar contract, then took money without installing solar systems or abandoned the job in various stages. Additionally, the defendants damaged many consumers’ homes with reckless and defective performance. When systems did get installed, they did not pass inspection and/or did not connect to the electrical grid.

According to the AG’s office, the defendants failed to respond to consumers’ repeated phone calls, emails and text messages. One consumer reportedly waited on hold with the company for more than seven hours. Frustrated consumers also visited the Tampa office, to which the defendants fled and locked the doors.

Moody said the investigation also revealed MC Solar enticed consumers with federal tax incentives, guaranteed 25-year warranties and misrepresented financing costs and interest rates. Many consumers ended up owing monthly payments on costly loans and some consumers even paid out of pocket to make systems operational. The company also failed to pay third parties, causing claims of liens on consumer property. When some consumers cancelled agreements, the defendants hired an attorney and sent demand letters with increased invoices and attorney fees. Records show the defendants transferred funds from the company account to personal accounts, including accounts belonging to friends and family members.

The AG’s office says the defendant’s actions violate Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Florida Home Solicitation Sale Act and other Florida statutes.

To view the civil complaint, click HERE.