Michigan's top law enforcer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, has put the clamp on a pair of Detroit-area business owners for alleged unsavory practices. According to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, Nessel's push has led to a consent order that resolves a lawsuit against John and Michele Church, proprietors of numerous landscaping and snow removal companies.
The AG's office had brought the lawsuit claiming that the Churches and their various business entities, some formally registered and some informal operations, were engaged in repeatedly violating the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA). These accusations, built up over more than a decade of consumer complaints, alleged breaches of contract, and deceptive business practices. Even after settling previous claims with a 2018 agreement to knock off the shady practices, the Churches resumed their alleged misconduct, spurring this latest legal response.
Under the terms of the recent consent order, the Churches are looking at some serious financial obligations and operational restrictions. They've agreed to cough up $50,000 for enforcement efforts, a slice of which will go to consumers who were affected by their businesses' practices. Moreover, the Churches are now required to dissolve their businesses and they can't incorporate, operate, or work in any business in Michigan that offers snow removal, lawn care, or landscaping services.
