This week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued in the 9th Circuit Court in Kalamazoo County to dissolve American Air Mavericks, and to seek injunctive relief against it and agent Roman Choumeliski, over alleged fraud committed in the legal establishment of the business and repeated and willful unlawful business practices.
The lawsuit alleges Choumeliski, a Florida resident, fraudulently established a limited liability company (LLC) named “24/7 AD Cleaning,” doing business as “American Air Mavericks,” by using the address of a short-term rental in Kalamazoo as the “resident agent address.” The Department contends Choumeliski rented the property for three nights, and during this time filed the LLC formation paperwork with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. This alleged fraud would constitute a violation of the Limited Liability Act, and respective relief sought by the Department of Attorney General includes an immediate dissolution of the LLC and an injunction against Choumeliski from establishing any future LLCs, corporations, or other legal entities in the State of Michigan.
Further alleged in the lawsuit is a repeated and willful use of illegal business practices harming consumers. The Department contends American Air Mavericks has engaged in several violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) in deceptively representing their geographic origin, making false or misleading statements concerning price reductions, and employing gross discrepancies between oral representations and written agreements covering transactions or failing to provide promised services.
Consumer complaints cited in the lawsuit, described in complaints or reviews submitted to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), contend the company has double-charged customers, fabricated findings of black mold to justify exorbitant price increases from previously quoted prices, engaged in high-pressure demands for unexpectedly large sums of cash based upon false pretenses, inadequately performed or entirely failed to perform agreed-upon services, and ignored customer contact attempts to secure refunds or repairs.
“This company appears to have been a scam from its very inception,” said Nessel. “Consumers were harmed by this business’ use of unambiguously predatory and illegal practices.”
In one reported instance reported to the BBB, employees refused to leave a customer’s property until she produced a large amount of cash, well above their agreed-upon quoted price.
The lawsuit additionally contends American Air Mavericks engages in fraudulent marketing tactics intentionally impersonating would-be customers on neighborhood group pages or utilizing pop-up ads on social media platforms that suggest to consumers that someone in their neighborhood is already utilizing the services of the company. In at least one instance, a defrauded customer contends they first engaged with American Air Mavericks by responding to a fake community post encouraging ‘neighbors’ to sign-up for services to obtain a group discount.
For the alleged violations of the MCPA, the Department seeks civil fines of $75,000, payment to the Department of Attorney General for costs associated with the investigation and litigation of these offenses, and any other relief the Court deems “just and proper.”
“Michigan consumers should maintain a healthy skepticism of advertisements or recommendations on neighborhood boards and localized social media pages.
These are both trusted and easily infiltrated spaces scammers and disreputable businesses will use to find potential victims,” Nessel added. “Research potential contractors and service providers on public forums such as the Better Business Bureau before committing to a deal.”
American Air Mavericks has 28 days to respond to the lawsuit or face a default judgement dissolving the LLC and granting each element of injunctive relief sought at the discretion of the Court.
Michigan consumers who suspect they are the victims of illegal or predatory business practices are encouraged to contact the Department of Attorney General’s
Consumer Protection Team.
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form at: https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx.
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