CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office has sued a Charleston man who allegedly performed home improvement projects for consumers in Kanawha County without a license.
Just one complainant is listed in the lawsuit against Larry Morehead, but the complaint says the AG’s office “has reason to believe many more consumers fell victim to the defendant’s unlawful conduct.”
Morehead has been doing business as L&M Construction since 2020, according to the complaint. It also says he never has had a contactor license from the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.
Morrisey
“This lawsuit should serve as a warning to others who are tempted to conduct their business in West Virginia without a license and defraud their customers,” Morrisey said in a press release. “Our office will vigorously investigate, and if necessary litigate, any violation of the state’s consumer protection laws.”
The complaint, filed March 17 in Kanawha Circuit Court, alleges Morehead failed to complete work on a roof for Charleston resident Shirley Goad.
The AG’s office accuses Morehead of engaging in home improvement contracting without a license, failure to furnish proper notice of the three-day right to cancel, failure to begin or complete work by date promised and unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
The complaint asks the court to stop Morehead from engaging in home improvement or contracting services unless and until he is properly licensed. It also seeks compensatory damages for Goad and any other consumers who were victims of Morehead, and it seeks $5,000 for each violation for the state. The office also seeks attorney fees, court costs and other relief.
The case is being handled by Assistant AGs Abby Cunningham and F. Scott Caudill. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 23-C-236