Louisiana's State Licensing Board for Contractors is investigating whether 84 Lumber has failed to pay any judgments to construction firms in the state that have won lawsuits against the dealer, the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper reports. The probe began days after 84 avoided losing its Louisiana contractor's license in a separate set of cases involving bonds for public projects.
The Advocate quoted Michael McDuff, the licensing board's executive director, as saying his group has been sent several legal judgments involving 84 and is checking to see whether any of them have been considered final and thus would be subject to final judgments being paid.
Meanwhile, the newspaper added:
Voelkel McWilliams Construction LLC, of Mandeville, has filed a formal complaint with the Licensing Board, asking the board to revoke or suspend 84 Lumber’s license. In April, a federal court in New Orleans awarded Voelkel a $200,000 judgment against 84 Lumber, Hardy Holdings and Pierce Hardy Real Estate Inc. The judgment covered expenses or damages that resulted when 84 Lumber allegedly backed out of doing the framing, roofing and siding on the Alexander Milne Home for Women in Waldheim, court records show. Voelkel McWilliams said it had to hire other contractors to do the work, which cost the company more money. Voelkel attorney David Clement said the judgment has not been paid.
