Nebraska AG files lawsuit against Omaha pool company, says it deceived customers
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers has filed a lawsuit against an Omaha-based pool company, alleging unfair business practices.
In a press release Tuesday, Hilgers said Stanger Enterprises LLC, also known as Premier Pools and Spas, deceived its customers and stifled their complaints.
The company left some consumers with “dangerous, ugly unfinished pits in their yards,” the attorney general’s office said.
Premier Pools and Spas would request 45% of the full bill upfront before digging a large hole in the customer’s yard.
The company refused to continue working until an additional 50% of the bill was paid, according to the lawsuit.
Once a majority of the costs were shelled out, Premier Pools and Spas would become unresponsive and evade requests for refunds, Hilgers said.
Customers were also unable to voice their concerns, according to the lawsuit.
The company embedded restrictive gag clauses in its contracts, retaliating against those who complained, officials said.
The attorney general’s office is seeking “comprehensive” reparations, including restitution for affected customers and civil penalties.
“Nebraskans expect and deserve to work with honest and ethical companies, and our office will take action against those companies that use deceptive means to unfairly pocket Nebraskans’ hard-earned money,” Hilgers said in a statement. “Today’s action sends a clear message: our office will not tolerate unlawful efforts to gag consumers from raising complaints with the Nebraska Attorney General.”
