AG sues to close AC sales firm in West Palm

The Florida Attorney General’s Office has filed a complaint against a West Palm Beach-based air conditioning sales and marketing company that allegedly told customers the AC systems were free, but in reality was signing up the elderly and low-income customers for loans.

The action filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court on Oct. 17 alleges that Complete Eco Home Services LLC, formerly doing business as The Green Club Home Services LLC, and its owners and operators deceived consumers. The lawsuit seeks to permanently shut down the operation and seeks civil penalties, restitution for consumers and other relief.

The AG’s Office filed the complaint under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act against the company and five people who operated, directed or controlled it, Michelle Sokoloff, Susan Mintz, Lindsay Pitts, Howard Sokoloff and Paula Brandao. Refunds of more than $200,000 are being sought.

AG’s Office spokeswoman Kylie Mason said there are more than 60 victims.

“Complete Eco’s registration with the Florida Department of State was dissolved on or around Sept. 22, 2017. However, we are currently aware of at least one active business registration on file for one of the named defendants,” Mason said.

The defendants could not be reached for comment Monday.

The complaint states all five of the defendants reside at 438 38th St., West Palm Beach.

In 2015, the Attorney General became aware of numerous consumer complaints against the company based at 1750 N. Florida Mango Road, West Palm Beach.

That same year The Palm Beach Post was contacted by some of the victims, including Berta Samartino, 97, of North Palm Beach. A woman who falsely claimed to be with Florida Power & Light met with Samartino at her home, saying she could save her money on her electric bill and needed to evaluate her AC.

Samartino, who died in 2016, ended up on the hook for a $9,250 AC system. Including interest, the loan amounted to $14,000 in payments.

During home visits, the AG’s complaint states, the defendants made misrepresentations to consumers to induce them to agree to the installation of new air conditioning units, falsely promising that the units were either free or required a minimal loan payment, which would be offset by energy savings.

“Taking advantage of seniors trying to save money on their utility bills just to make ends meet is immoral — we will not allow anyone to get away with deceiving our seniors to make a quick buck,” said Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The defendants sometimes gained entry into consumers’ homes under the guise of being associated with FPL, but were not connected to it, the complaint states.

In some cases, the defendants offered to conduct free air conditioner efficiency analyses and to provide alleged “special promotions” aimed at assisting consumers in increasing their homes’ energy efficiency.

After receiving these alleged analyses, consumers were falsely told they qualified for a new unit, and that due to various government incentives and utility rebates, they would receive the unit for free or for a very minimal monthly loan installment amount.

The consumers were led to believe the documents they were signing were for free new AC units but were actually loan applications to obtain funds to pay for the systems.

The loans ranged from $7,500 to $10,000 and were greater than the value of the units for which the consumers were ultimately financially responsible, the complaint states.