Michigan AG Secures Judgment Against Construction Firm

The Michigan Attorney General's Office has secured a consent judgment against Hummingbird Construction and its owner, Matthew Ashline, after alleging the company accepted payments for home improvement projects it never began.

The ruling, issued by Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Julia Owdziej, found that the company violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act by taking customer payments, failing to meet project deadlines, and refusing to provide timely refunds.

Allegations Across Multiple Counties

The lawsuit, filed in July, was brought on behalf of customers in Washtenaw, St. Clair, Monroe, and Eaton counties.

One complaint cited in court involved a Port Huron couple who paid $8,000 for roof and porch repairs that were never started. According to the filing, the couple received a refund only after contacting police and threatening legal action.

After the lawsuit became public, additional customers reportedly came forward claiming similar experiences.

Penalties and Business Shutdown

Under the judgment:

• Hummingbird Construction must shut down and dissolve.
• Ashline is barred from managing a construction company or selling construction services for 10 years.
• He must repay more than $150,000 to seven customers.
• He is required to pay $10,000 per month for nine months to fund additional refunds.
• He must pay $10,000 to the State of Michigan to cover legal costs by Dec. 15.

Dana Nessel praised her Consumer Protection Team for securing the judgment, stating her office will continue pursuing companies that engage in deceptive business practices.

Originally reported by Johnathan Hogan Port Huron Times Herald in Times Herald.