A Maryland court upheld a Final Order against Finish Werks Corp., its owner William Karl “Harris” Woodward, and related companies for over 800 violations of state consumer protection laws, requiring them to pay more than $955,000 in restitution and penalties and cease homebuilding activities unless a $700,000 bond is posted.
According to Maryland Attorney General’s Office, “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Krystal Q. Alves affirmed a Final Order issued by the Consumer Protection Division against Finish Werks Corp., Finish Werks Custom Builders, Inc., and owner William Karl “Harris” Woodward for unfair and deceptive trade practices related to their modular new home construction businesses.
The Final Order states that the Finish Werks companies violated Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, Custom Home Protection Act, and New Home Deposits Act over 800 times. They took over $1 million in deposits and progress payments from consumers to construct modular homes in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Montgomery counties but failed to finish construction, correct serious defects, pay subcontractors, or protect consumer money as required by Maryland law. Instead, consumer money was misappropriated for personal expenses unrelated to the construction of the consumers’ homes. Additionally, the Finish Werks companies failed to include statutorily required disclosures and notices in their contracts with consumers. The Final Order also holds Mr. Woodward individually liable for the violations of his companies.
“Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments a person can make. Maryland families should be able to trust that businesses will honor that investment by delivering safe, secure homes,” said Attorney General Brown. “My office is committed to holding companies accountable and ensuring that Marylanders’ hard-earned money is not taken without the promise of a home being fulfilled.”
The Final Order requires Mr. Woodward and his companies to immediately cease and desist from violating the law and prohibits them from acting as home builders in Maryland unless they post a $700,000 performance bond to protect future consumers. The Order also mandates Mr. Woodward and his companies to pay over $720,000 in restitution and economic damages and $235,500 in civil penalties to the Division.
Still pending before the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County are petitions for judicial review of the Division’s Final Orders in four Home Builder Guaranty Fund cases for losses resulting from the acts and omissions of the Finish Werks companies. Oral arguments in these cases are scheduled for later in December 2024 and January 2025.”