CHARLESTON, WV (WVDN) — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said a Putnam County Circuit Court judge has awarded $101,762.98 Thursday in restitution to six victims of an unlicensed contractor.
The defendant, Jason Andrew Sansom, of Hurricane, performed home improvement projects for consumers in Kanawha and Putnam counties, as well as other areas in the state.
“This is a big win for the consumers who were victimized by this unscrupulous businessman,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “Let this be a warning to those who are planning on defrauding consumers in West Virginia: cross the line and we’re going to make sure there will be enforcement—those who defraud consumers must be held accountable to the full extent of the law.
The restitution will be divided among six consumers (varying amounts).
The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleged Sansom took consumers’ money and did not start or finish home improvement and other projects and contracted with consumers to work on projects he was not licensed to perform. He operated his business under the name J. Andrews Revive and Design from September 2020 through April of 2021—after April 26, 2021, Sansom’s business went by J. Andrews Design LLC.
Sansom has never had a contractor’s license to operate in West Virginia. Despite his lack of a license, he advertised his services through a website, describing his business as “end to end” home remodeling. He also used social media to promote his operations.
Consumers paid Sansom to do jobs including general construction, carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall, tile, flooring and HVAC, according to the lawsuit.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of this practice or any other scam can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808 or visit the office online at www.ago.wv.gov.
