Josh Stein is suing tree removal companies, claiming they charged the western NC couple $25,500 after Helene

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has sued two Triangle-based landscapers for allegedly overcharging those in western North Carolina for tree removal following Hurricane Helene.

On Thursday, Stein filed a lawsuit against Lorin Huggins Sr. and his companies, including Huggins & Sons Yard Service and Lorenzo & Son Landscaping. Both companies are based in Durham.

A press release from Stein's team mentions a report from a Hendersonville couple who paid $25,500 for the tree removal.

A Hendersonville couple found Huggins on HomeAdvisor.com after two trees fell on their roof during Hurricane Helene. They spoke with Huggins, who agreed to travel to Hendersonville and remove the trees. Upon his arrival, Huggins informed the couple that they would have to pay $25,500 upfront. Stein said the couple was afraid the trees would cause the roof to collapse, so they paid for the tree removal with a credit card.

Stein noted that Huggins brought only three men, three chainsaws and a leaf blower for the job. Instead of removing the trees and tree debris from the house and yard, the defendant's workers allowed branches and tree debris to fall into the house through the hole in the roof and caused a tree to fall onto and damage a retaining wall. The defendant did not complete the tree removal and cleanup work, which meant the couple had to hire and pay additional contractors to remove a tree trunk and other debris.

“As hurricane cleanup and reconstruction continue in Western North Carolina, I want price gougers to be made aware,” said Stein, who is running for governor in the 2024 election cycle. “If you take advantage of people in their time of need and charge them unfair, inflated prices, my office will hold you accountable.”

Attorney General Stein seeks preliminary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against the defendant to prevent misrepresentations and future price gouging, as well as restitution, civil penalties, attorneys' fees and other relief.

There are tips for tree removal and fraud prevention.