State files civil complaint against Macedonia pool contractor

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by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Akron -- Citing an alleged violation of state consumer protection laws, the Ohio Attorney General's Office filed a complaint in Summit County Court of Common Pleas against a Macedonia swimming pool contractor June 19.

According to the complaint, the state alleges Edward Danczak, owner of Pool Magic on Berkshire Drive, was paid $26,400 by a Macedonia couple to install a 20-foot by 40-foot in-ground swimming pool, but stopped work in October 2006, "in essence leaving a large hole in the ground and the surrounding property in a muddy disarray."

The five-count complaint also alleges that Danczak did not register his business with the Ohio Secretary of State's office, as required by state law.

Danczak's business phone was not in service. His home phone number was unlisted.

Denise Angus, the Macedonia woman who filed the initial complaint with the attorney general's office in June 2007, said she had contacted police, the better business bureau, her bank and her homeowner's insurance carrier -- all to no avail.

She said her husband, William Angus, died in November after withdrawing money from his retirement to finish the pool.

The attorney general's complaint asks the court to order Danczak to make full restitution and pay a civil penalty of at least $25,000 per count.

Michelle Gatchell, deputy director of communications at the attorney general's office, told the News Leader that contractor complaints rank third in a list of top 10 complaints received by the attorney general's office. She said Danczak had 14 days to respond to the complaint.

Nadine Ballard, chief of the attorney general's consumer protection section, stated in a June 19 press release that the state needs stronger laws to increase regulation of the home improvement industry.

"Consumers in Ohio would be better protected if the law required contractors to be licensed and bonded, and if it limited the amount of money a contractor could take upfront before the work was done," said Ballard.

Editor's note: Editor Eric Marotta contributed to this story.

E-mail: jsaunders@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3169