HARRISBURG, PA – A Luzerne County Judge has prohibited a local contractor from engaging in home improvement services in Pennsylvania and has mandated $79,000 in restitution to affected consumers. Vincent Vince, who owns Independent Construction Builders, LLC, was also penalized $12,000 for breaches of the state’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
The decision followed a three-day trial concerning allegations against Independent Construction Builders for violations under the Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law and the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. Claims centered on uncompleted work, subpar workmanship, and unpaid refunds, as outlined during the proceedings.
Attorney General Michelle Henry emphasized the importance of contractor compliance and the repayment mandate for wronged consumers, highlighting Vince’s failure to abide by industry rules. The ruling aims to safeguard consumers from future misconduct by barring the company from operating in the sector within the state.
Judge Tina Polachek Gartley of the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas presided over the trial and ruled in favor of the Commonwealth on all charges. The case, where seven consumers provided testimony, was managed by Deputy Attorney General Matthias Conaty and Senior Deputy Attorney General James Wise.
