CHARLOTTE, N.C. — More customers complained about Randy Briel to Action 9 than any other contractor since 2012.
They accused him of taking money but not doing the work.
Action 9 ran multiple news reports about Briel and shared its findings with North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein.
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Stein sued Briel and his business partner, Glenn Dunnam, Monday. Stein went to WSOC-TV for a one-on-one interview about the case.
Stein wants money for any victims and an injunction to ban the contractors from the business for life. "These guys are crooked and they're taking advantage of people. They're taking folks' money in and they're not delivering the goods," Stein said.
Briel has served time behind bars in both Carolinas. In North Carolina, he was convicted of obtaining property by false pretenses. He was released from prison in 2011. In South Carolina, he was convicted of breach of trust. He was released from prison again in 2012. Stein said Briel went back to tricking people.
"We are going to pursue every remedy possible as we pursue this litigation," Stein said.
Stein and the Better Business Bureau said Briel changed business names more than 20 times over the years, which made it hard for consumers to research reviews on him.
The last time Action 9 spoke with Briel was in March. Briel said he was out of the business, then said he was working for his brother.
When Action 9 asked Briel to explain what he does, he hung up.
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