BALTIMORE, Ohio – Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a lawsuit against a Baltimore-based company and its owner, accusing them of defrauding homeowners of nearly $12,000 through incomplete or subpar remodeling work. The lawsuit, filed in the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas, targets Dwight W. Artrip and his company, The Painting Co. Inc. (also known as TPC or The Preferred Contractor), for repeatedly violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act.
“Ohioans deserve contractors who show up, follow through, and do the job right — not one who provides an endless cycle of excuses, delays, and disappearing acts,” Yost stated.
The Attorney General’s Office received at least 12 complaints about The Painting Co. and also discovered additional complaints through the Better Business Bureau. Homeowners reported combined losses of $11,900 after paying for remodeling services that were either incomplete or poorly done.
Despite its name, The Painting Co. was not primarily a painting business but instead offered home-improvement and remodeling services, specializing in residential kitchen and bathroom projects.
The lawsuit outlines a pattern of misconduct by Artrip, including:
- Accepting large advance deposits but delaying or failing to complete the work.
- Requesting additional payments before finishing contracted services.
- Performing substandard work.
- Misrepresenting the status of promised refunds.
- Failing to inform consumers of their right to cancel contracts, as required by Ohio law.
The lawsuit seeks restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties, and injunctive relief to prevent further violations.
