TAMPA-- Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is filing a civil suit against a Tampa-based solar panel installer.
Moody alleges that MC Solar and Roofing went door-to-door and used deceptive tactics to get people to sign up for solar panels, roofing and financing. Then, Moody claims, MC Solar did slipshod work, sometimes damaging roofs, or didn't do the work at all. This meant many customers were on the hook for payments on their non-existing or non-functioning systems, while still having to pay the electrical bills they installed solar to avoid. Moody claims the company also dodged phone calls, placed liens on homes after failing to do the work, and threatened legal action against customers who tried to get out of financing.
Moody says her office received more than 400 complaints about MC Solar, and that many of the victims included the elderly, disabled people, and veterans. She calls their tactics "unconscionable." Moody says her office wants a judge to order the company and its owners, Armando Almirall, Raman Chopra, and Michael Crowder, out of certain aspects of the solar business, and to pay penalties and restitution to its customers. Moody says criminal charges are also possible.
Photo: Getty Images