FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
October 31, 2017
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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Alabama Attorney General
AG MARSHALL ANNOUNCES PERMANENT INJUNCTION TO SHUT
DOWN PLUMBING COMPANY FOR REPEATED VIOLATIONS
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that a
Jefferson County plumbing company, Plumbing 911, has been permanently closed by
court order at the request of this office. Plumbing 911 must cease plumbing and gas
services, and its owner Tony Curtis Gowins must surrender his State license and never
again work in the plumbing and gas industry in Alabama.
The Attorney General’s action results from repeated violations by Gowins and
Plumbing 911 despite an earlier settlement agreement with the Attorney General’s Office
and the Alabama Plumbers and Gasfitters Examining Board. The December 2016
settlement required the company to reform its unscrupulous business practices,
specifically that it must honor estimates and abide by State plumbing and gas
regulations.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Interest Division continued to receive serious
complaints regarding overpricing and substandard work that was not compliant with
plumbing and gas codes. The Attorney General’s Office conducted an investigation and
subsequently filed a motion for the permanent injunction that was granted by the
Jefferson County Circuit Court on October 18. The court’s order directed that the
company and its owner must cease operation by October 31.
Plumbing 911 was located in Moody and operated throughout the Greater
Birmingham area. Gowins is a resident of Talladega.
The Attorney General’s complaint that led to the December settlement cited
numerous violations of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act and State plumbing
and gas regulations, such as charging consumers double the price of estimates,
performing substandard and unnecessary work, causing major damage to property,
failing to obtain required permits and licensing, and more. That settlement required the
company to pay $109,044 in compensation to five consumers, and per this month’s court
order the company was required to pay $3,535 to four additional consumers.
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
“This case should serve as a strong warning that the Attorney General’s Office
will hold dishonest business operators to account for their wrongdoing, that they will be
made to adhere to settlement agreements and follow consumer protection laws and
regulations, and that continued violations will not be tolerated,” said Attorney General
Marshall.
“The State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board remains
committed to the protection of the good people of Alabama from unscrupulous
contractors,” said Executive Director David Wilcox. “We were glad to partner with the
Attorney General’s office and express our appreciation to (Assistant Attorney General)
Noel Barnes and (plumbing and gasfitters board officer) Michael Leonhardi as well as
all the staff from both agencies who aided in the pursuance of Mr. Gowins. We are
pleased to reach this resolution in this matter.”
Attorney General Marshall commended those involved in bringing this case to a
successful conclusion, noting in particular Assistant Attorneys General Noel Barnes and
Tina Hammonds and Special Agents of his Consumer Interest Division and thanked the
Alabama Plumbers and Gasfitters Examining Board.
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