RIVERSIDE - The home improvement company Empire Today will pay Riverside County $165,000 to settle a lawsuit over deceptive advertising and contracting violations, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office announced this past week.
The Northlake, Ill.-based limited liability corporation agreed to a settlement to end litigation stemming from a 2010 investigation that revealed it had advertised products, via television and print media, that lacked full disclosures and had taken payments from customers for home modifications before the work was completed, according to the district attorney's office.
Violations occurred in both Riverside County and the city of San Diego, though the suit was filed in Riverside, prosecutors said. Superior Court Judge Craig Riemer certified the settlement Thursday, ordering Empire Today to pay a total $330,720 in civil penalties, which will be evenly split between Riverside County and San Diego.
According to the district attorney's office, an investigation into the privately held company's advertising practices was initiated after authorities learned it had advertised products and services without disclosing limitations associated with the offers, primarily the installation of hardwood flooring and carpeting.
There were instances in which Empire Today or its representatives sought and received full payment for installation jobs before actually starting a project, prosecutors alleged.
According to the Contractors State License Board, California law limits down-payments for contracting work to the lesser of 10 percent of the total project cost, or $1,000.
The district attorney's Consumer Fraud Unit handled the civil suit.
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