The Attorney General’s Office is suing two home repair contractors in southern Maine, claiming they took money from customers and failed to do work as promised.

The lawsuits were filed against Daniel Tucci of Portland in Cumberland County Superior Court and Joel Poirier of Buxton in York County Superior Court. The lawsuits seek to prevent the men from working as general contractors in Maine, providing goods or services, or taking money from customers in advance. The lawsuits also seek restitution for the affected customers.

The lawsuit filed against Tucci last week alleges that he demanded more money when homeowners complained about the lack of progress, and that any work done by Tucci’s business was of very low quality.

The Attorney General’s Office began investigating Tucci after Legal Services for the Elderly complained that he targeted the elderly. Consumers complained that Tucci responded with threats and bullying when they confronted him about problems, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Tucci denied the allegations. He said his business has had at least 10,000 clients since he went into business in 1975, but only about a dozen complaints in all those years.

Tucci said his workers made a few mistakes on the job. He said the action by the Attorney General’s Office stems from eight customers. He said two have been repaid, five are lying and one cannot be found for repayment.

Tucci vehemently denied the allegations of threatening or bullying behavior.

“I never would bully an elderly person,” he said. “I’d be willing to take a polygraph and put the results in The Portland Press Herald.”

Rubin Segal, Tucci’s lawyer, noted that allegations are not facts. “We are certainly contesting and disputing these allegations where they should be: in court,” he said.

The lawsuit filed against Poirier last month alleges that he took large down payments for projects that were not started on time and never were completed.

Poirier did not immediately return messages Monday. It was not clear whether he has a lawyer representing him in the matter.

James Molleur, the attorney who represented Poirier in bankruptcy proceedings, could not be reached for comment.

 

Copy the Story Link