Attorney General Anthony G. Brown’s Consumer Protection Division issued a Final Order requiring Optimum Construction, Optimum Interiors, and their owner Amr “Omar” Elrahimy to pay over $4.4 million in restitution and penalties for failing to complete home improvement projects after collecting payments from Maryland consumers.
Per the news release distributed on Wednesday, June 18: “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a Final Order against Derwood-based Optimum Construction, Inc., Optimum Interiors, Inc., and their owner, Amr “Omar” Elrahimy, for violating the Consumer Protection Act. The companies and their owner were found to have promised home improvement goods and services to Maryland consumers, accepted deposits and payments, but then failed to complete the projects or issue refunds.
The Final Order requires Optimum Construction, Optimum Interiors, and Elrahimy to pay restitution of at least $2,007,459.27 and civil penalties totaling $2,452,000.00. Additionally, they are prohibited from acting as home improvement contractors or sales representatives in Maryland unless they first post a $1,000,000.00 surety bond with the Consumer Protection Division.
The investigation revealed that an unlicensed salesperson was sent to consumers’ homes, where contracts not in compliance with Maryland law were presented. The companies promised project start and completion dates, collected payments, and then misused the funds—Elrahimy reportedly used the money to fund a lavish personal lifestyle and unrelated businesses. They also misrepresented the status of projects and failed to return any of the payments when work wasn’t completed.
The Office of Administrative Hearings reviewed testimony and evidence from 20 affected consumers. Based on the record, the Consumer Protection Division concluded that the companies and Elrahimy repeatedly violated the Consumer Protection Act, causing substantial financial harm.
Consumers with questions may contact the Consumer Protection Division’s hotline at (410) 528-8662. www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov”