Florida AG Sues Hurricane Safety Services Company

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has filed a lawsuit against a South Florida company offering hurricane safety services, alleging the company and its owners defrauded at least 11 consumers.

All-Sun Enterprises Inc., and owners Leo Whalen and Frank Pennea are named in the lawsuit, which alleges the company is responsible for extensive delays, inferior parts, substandard workmanship and refusal to return more than $30,000 in deposits to customers who complained about the failure to perform contracted work.

The company, which has since dissolved, offered hurricane safety services such as hurricane shutter and door installation and hurricane-related repairs. The Attorney General is seeking an injunction to prohibit the company or either owner from any further deceptive practices. The lawsuit also asks the court to prohibit the defendants accepting up front deposits and from soliciting Florida residents for business and to require them to surrender all Florida construction licenses. Full restitution for affected consumers is also being sought.

The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division has already entered into an agreement on these claims with Frank Pennea, which will be presented to the Court once the lawsuit has been filed.

Under the agreement, Pennea will be prohibited from ever holding a construction license, or soliciting business in Florida or with Florida residents, which requires up front deposits. He has also agreed to cease all business relations with All-Sun and Whalen, and will pay more than $29,000 in consumer restitution.