A.G. Schneiderman Announces $185K Suit Against Watkins Glen-Area Vacation Rental Owner Henry Dean, Who Allegedly Defrauded Consumers
Binghamton- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman stated that his office has filed a legal action against Henry Dean and his company, FGLGH, LLC, in search of a permanent injunction prohibiting them from working their vacation rental home business, which they market as being available to the general public.
The case also seeks reimbursement on $102,694.88 for clients who paid Dean in advance rental fees for a Town of Orange property that was not fit to live in, in addition to over $85,000 in civil penalties and costs. “A vacation is a luxury that hardworking New Yorker’s often save for months or years to enjoy,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “It’s just cruel to deceive and defraud those who are trying to get away on vacation or plan a special event with loved ones. I will keep fighting to root out and prosecute unscrupulous business owners.”
The petition alleges that Dean and his company acquired the property in November 2013 for the intention of renovating the house into an ample vacation rental property. Dean started marketing the vacation rental property on his own website, called www.vacationrentalfingerlakes.com, and on independent websites, like www.VRBO.com. His advertisement stated that the property was in functioning status and had such amenities as, outdoor wet bar, fire pit, three hot tubs, mountainside private hot tub, exotic pool with gazebo deck, pools, streams, pools, and other services.
All of these claims proved to be bogus. Although Dean initiated renovation almost directly after he purchased the property, he never finished the house and the other claimed amenities. It has been more than three years and he still does not even have a certificate of occupancy for the building.
Customers relying on the Dean’s website and the representations he made to them after they contacted him, were induced to pay him thousands of dollars in deposits to secure the property for their long-planned weddings, family vacations and, and other events. It was only after consumers went and looked at the property that they discovered it was not in the same condition as represented in the advertisement. When they tried to cancel it, Dean would tell them they discovered it was not in the same condition as represented in the advertisements.
When they tried to cancel, Dean would tell them that it would take a little time to refund their money because he had put it in escrow; however, this was a lie because Dean had already spent their money. He was simply trying to buy time until he could convince additional consumers to pay him deposits, so he could use that money to make refunds. Now Dean has a debt of $100K in refunds. In additions to the reimbursement, the Attorney General is also looking for over $85K in civil penalties and costs.
The case is being handled by Michael J. Danaher, Jr., Assistant Attorney General of Binghamton Regional Office led by James E. Shoemaker, Assistant Attorney General-in-Charge. The Binghamton Regional Office is part of the Division of Regional Affairs, led by Marty Mack, Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs.
