Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. Photo: John Raoux/AP. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. Photo: John Raoux/AP.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has accused an air conditioning and heating company of tricking elderly customers into buying expensive services and replacements they didn't need, launching a Hillsborough Circuit trade regulation lawsuit Friday.

Moody's predecessor Pam Bondi in June 2017 had reached a deal with Valrico-based Air Time Air Conditioning and Heating Inc. and its owner Anthony Gonzalez, who had agreed to pay $20,000 in restitution and $7,000 in attorney fees over allegations of unfair and deceptive business practices stretching back to April 2011.

But an investigation has revealed 16 new complaints about the company over its dealings since Gonzalez signed the assurance of voluntary compliance, or AVC, according to the attorney general.

The lawsuit claims 13 of the complainants were senior citizens, who the defendant misled into thinking their systems needed new parts or labor including new duct work or air conditioning units.

One 89-year-old woman allegedly spent $21,000 on unnecessary parts and services within two and a half years, according to the lawsuit, which says Air Time never gave her an itemized bill. Another consumer claimed Air Time recommended a new $8,000 unit just one year after the first was installed, but a different air conditioning company found there was nothing wrong with the first device.

Other Air Time costumers claim they were overcharged or misled into buying unnecessary services.

"It is outrageous that a company would swindle consumers with such deceitful business practices," Moody said in a press release Monday. "Our office is committed to investigating allegations of illegal conduct and enforcing the laws that protect consumers. Taking advantage of unsuspecting seniors and other consumers will not be tolerated in Florida."

Gonzalez was not immediately available for comment. But the 2017 agreement he signed did not constitute an admission of guilt.

The lawsuit also claims Air Time didn't let customers know they had a three-day right to cancel, as promised in the agreement.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction, attorney fees, $10,000 for Gonzalez's alleged violation of the agreement and $15,000 for each of the 16 times the defendant allegedly victimized or tried to victimize a consumer.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Steven Scott Stephens will preside over the case. Moody's office has urged anyone who might be affected to call 813-287-7950.

 

Read the complaint:

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