Attorney General John M. Formella announces the filing of a civil complaint in Cheshire County Superior Court against Christopher Vittum, Caitlin Vittum (née Hewitt), NEC Construction 603 LLC, CRV Construction & Tiny Homes LLC, and Utopia Construction & Designs for multiple violations of the Consumer Protection Act.
The civil complaint alleges that Christopher Vittum, Caitlin Vittum, and their businesses, violated the Consumer Protection Act against several consumers by:
- collecting substantial advance payments for construction jobs without the intent or ability to complete such jobs,
- spending advance consumer payments without performing contracted-for work,
- failing to respond to consumers after a request for a refund is issued,
- failing to provide refunds to consumers,
- changing business contact information during the pendency of consumer contracts without notifying consumers, and
- making multiple material misrepresentations to consumers.
The Vittums accepted over $175,000 from at least 13 consumers upon promises to provide construction services.
In addition to seeking restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties of $10,000 per violation, and costs and expenses, the State is seeking preliminary and permanent relief enjoining the defendants from owning or operating any construction business in the State of New Hampshire and from accepting or soliciting any advance payment for goods or services not yet rendered.
This case was investigated by Frederick Lulka of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau at the New Hampshire Department of Justice. Attorney Warren Cormack, also of the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau, is litigating this case.