Attorney General Philip McLaughlin announced today that on June 3, 2002, James Kenton, a principal of Pro-tite Corp., pled guilty to felony and misdemeanor criminal charges including Theft by Deception, Falsifying Physical Evidence, Witness Tampering and Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices. James Kenton, through Pro-tite Corp., provided roofing and home improvement services. According to Attorney General McLaughlin, by pleading guilty to these four indictments, Kenton admitted that he had caused Pro-tite Corp. to enter into a contract with an elderly woman and obtained money from her by creating a false impression that she owed additional money for Pro-tite's services, when she did not; as a result of this deception, Pro-tite obtained more money than it was entitled to from her.

Kenton also admitted to destroying documents so they would not be available to the Attorney General's Office, which he knew was conducting an investigation into his business practices. Finally, Kenton admitted to threatening another customer who attempted to obtain a refund from him after canceling a contract with Pro-tite Corp. Kenton threatened to sue the customer for slander if he complained to the Attorney General's Office.

Kenton also pled guilty to four additional criminal charges against Pro-tite Corp. These charges include Theft by Deception and three charges of Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices. The Theft by Deception indictment and one of the Unfair and Deceptive Business Practices indictment relate to Pro-tite's contract with the elderly woman. Kenton also admitted, on behalf of Pro-tite, that Pro-tite's agent, Christopher Robinson, had deceived a customer into entering into a Pro-tite contract. In an effort to have the customer sign a Pro-tite contract, Robinson told the customer that he would call both a roofing friend of his and the Better Business Bureau, so that the customer could check on Pro-tite's business history and whether the price of the roof was a good deal. Instead of calling the Better Business Bureau or his roofing friend, Robinson twice called Kenton's home telephone number. After making each telephone call, Robinson then gave the telephone to the customer who spoke to the person at the other end of the line. The customer believed that he was speaking to a roofing friend of Robinson's who was unrelated to Pro-tite Corp., or a representative of the Better Business Bureau.

Attorney General McLaughlin said "Today's guilty pleas by James Kenton and Pro-tite Corp. demonstrate our office's commitment to the pursuit of unscrupulous contractors, in our continuous efforts to protect New Hampshire consumers."

Sentencing for James Kenton and Pro-tite Corp. will be held in approximately 60 days.