State issues citations to dozens of contractors

TRENTON (AP) — State consumer affairs officials have issued violation notices to dozens of home improvement contractors, seeking more than $1.3 million overall in civil penalties and consumer restitution.

The citations against the 68 contractors were announced Wednesday. They stem from complaints and referrals by consumers across New Jersey and allege violations of the state's contractor registration act.

The alleged violations range from operating without a proper registration to failing to refund deposits to abandoning pre-paid jobs without completing the work.

Officials have directed 62 of the contractors to pay a total of $1,046,978 in consumer restitution, in amounts ranging from $378 to $185,000.

The state received 1,434 consumer complaints about home improvement contractors in 2013. That's the most of any category tracked by state officials.

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