ERIE COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Authorities say two men accused of defrauding customers in several western Pennsylvania counties have been ordered to pay thousands of dollars in restitution and other fines and penalties.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro filed a lawsuit against Howard Stahl and his son, Nolan Stahl, in December 2018. The Stahls offered services in eight counties through their businesses: Pearl Plumbing Inc., Roto-Rooter and Stahl Brothers Plumbing Inc.
The lawsuit claimed the pair recommended unnecessary replacement sewer pipes to their customers through Pearl Plumbing Inc. and Stahl Brothers Plumbing Inc.
Shapiro said Howard Stahl ignored customer complaints and demanded payments from customers his son is suspected of defrauding.
The 64-page lawsuit claimed Nolan Stahl knowingly recommended unnecessary replacement of sewer pipes and made misrepresentations, omissions and misleading statements to customers in recommending replacements. The lawsuit also claimed Nolan Stahl used pre-recorded video footage of defective sewer pipes, which he claimed was live video footage of the customers’ pipes.
According to court documents, the Stahls are ordered to pay $128,100, which includes $72,126 in restitution for 19 consumers, $40,000 in civil penalties ($25,000 of which is suspended) and $15,974 in costs. The order, which was finalized Friday by the Court of Common Pleas in Erie County, also includes an injunction prohibiting Nolan Stahl and Pearl Plumbing from operating as home improvement contractors in the Commonwealth.
The order also places restrictions on Howard Stahl and Stahl Brothers Plumbing, including increased oversight and management of them by a master plumber.
According to Shapiro, his office did not file a lawsuit against Roto-Rooter and its corporate office.
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