SPRINGFIELD - A Logan County businessman stands accused of defrauding seven Central Illinois residents who hired him for driveway repairs and home remodeling projects.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office on Thursday filed the lawsuit against Jeff Lovins of Lovins Masonry in Beason, saying he bilked customers by allegedly performing substandard work or doing no work at all.

The legal action was among six similar lawsuits filed in various parts of the state Thursday against contractors.

Madigan said problems with contractors are not uncommon.

"Complaints about home repair, remodeling and construction consistently rank among the top consumer complaints that my office receives each year, especially during the summer months," Madigan said. "Consumers need to make sure they are informed and ask the right questions before choosing a contractor so that they can avoid falling victim to the types of companies we have sued today."

The lawsuit against Lovins seeks a permanent injunction preventing him from engaging in the home repair trade. It also seeks restitution to customers, a civil penalty of $50,000 per defendant, additional penalties of $50,000 for each act committed with intent to defraud and an additional $10,000 for each act committed against a senior citizen, and costs.

Two of the people named in the lawsuit against Lovins are senior citizens.

The lawsuit, which was filed in McLean County, outlines problems that seven customers had with Lovins dating to 2000.

In one instance, he is alleged to have collected $2,700 for work on a driveway. The customer complained about the finished product but has not been able to resolve the situation with Lovins.

In another case, Lovins is alleged to have accepted a down payment of $1,200 for concrete work but never completed the job.

Attempts to reach Lovins were not successful Thursday. The telephone number listed at the Beason business was not working.

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 789-0865.