Attorney General Philip McLaughlin announced today that his office has filed a Petition For Ex Parte Temporary Restraining Order, Injunctive Relief, Restitution and Civil Penalties Pursuant to RSA 358-A against Pro-tite Corp., Century Steel Company, Inc., James P. Kenton, and Maryellen Tiedemann (who also uses the last names of Johnston and Kenton) in Grafton County Superior Court. According to McLaughlin, Pro-tite Corp. and Century Steel Company, Inc. provide roofing and home improvement services. James Kenton is a principal of Pro-tite Corp. and Maryellen Tiedemann, who is married to James Kenton, is a principal of both Pro-tite Corp. and Century Steel Company, Inc.

The State's Petition alleges that the respondents engaged in unfair and deceptive business practices against consumers by engaging in the following conduct: they entered into contracts with consumers and either did not perform the contracted for work or did so in a substandard manner; they would not allow consumers to cancel their contracts when done so within the legally required three day "right of rescission"; they made verbal representations to consumers which differed from the representations in their written contracts; they threatened consumers with legal action when they called to complain about the inferior workmanship; and they failed to provide to consumers a clear description of the important terms and requirements relating to credit transactions which they arranged for them.

The Petition also alleges that James Kenton had previously owned a company by the name of Kentco Window Corp. and that once Kentco had accumulated a number of complaints from consumers, it went out of business and failed to advise either consumers or suppliers to whom it owed money or services. The Petition further alleges that six days after criminal indictments were returned against Pro-tite Corp. and James Kenton in October, 2001 in Grafton County, Maryellen Tiedemann registered another company by the name of Century Steel Company, Inc. with the Secretary of State. The Attorney General's Office has already received several complaints from consumers against this company.

In its Petition, the State asks the Grafton County Superior Court to place certain conditions on the respondents' ability to do business, in an effort to protect New Hampshire consumers. It also asks the Court to order respondents to pay restitution to consumers.

The State expects that a hearing on its Petition will be scheduled shortly.

Attorney General Philip McLaughlin said "This office will use all legal means at its disposal, including both criminal and civil actions, to protect New Hampshire consumers from fraudulent and deceptive business practices."

Any consumers who believe they have been victimized by Pro-tite Corp., Century Steel Company, Inc., James Kenton or Maryellen Tiedemann are encouraged to call the Attorney General's Office at 271-3641.