FAYETTEVILLE - APRIL 11, 2024 - A Fayetteville couple was one of three Lawrence County customers of Austin Memorial Arts Bloomfield, Indiana; who filed a civil lawsuit in Greene County Court after the company did not fulfill their contract.
Photo: Bill and Donna Summers purchased a monument for both their daughter who was killed in car accident in 2001 and themselves from Austin Memorial Arts in Bloomfield back in March 2023
The Summers appeared in court yesterday to try and get their money back. However, the couple is realistic that probably will never happen as more than $278,000 in losses have already been filed against Austin Memorial Arts and owner Richard King.
The courts ruled in favor of the Summers in the amount of $3,594 which was 70 percent that was paid to the company and court costs.
Since the Lawrence County Zephyr first reported the situation in February, more than 77 lawsuits have been filed.
The Summers purchased a monument to replace the monument for their daughter who was killed in a vehicle accident on March 22, 2001, and for themselves.
" We went down on a Sunday afternoon to look at the monuments back in March 2023. The owner Richard King of the company was there and even let us inside to look monuments that was inside the building. He was there reading his bible and telling us about the church he attended," said Bill Summers.
" We purchased the monuments on March 14, 2023, and was supposed to be set in the Fall. They never did call us back, and we ended up calling them several times however no one ever answered the phone. We went down to the business and a Greene County Deputy was there serving papers and a couple from Florida was there trying to make contact with the owner. The building was locked up," added Summers.
The Florida couple purchased a monument for their son who lived in Greene County and passed away. " The lady was crying and visibly upset, we felt so sorry for them,"
" We do not like it we got ripped off, and for the people grieving this is just so wrong," said Donna Summers.
The company has thirty days to pay the Summers back, and if does not then they must file paperwork again with the court.
" He is just a crook," concluded Bill Summers.
The Indiana State Police has since launched a criminal complaint and that investigation is just now underway.
The Lawrence County tried to reach the owner by telephone but has been unsuccessful at this time.
Orginal story:
BLOOMFIELD - FEBRUARY 20, 2024 - There have been 41 small claims lawsuits filed against Austin Memorial Arts in Bloomfield, Indiana.
The company located at 325 North County Road 250 West Bloomfield, Indiana has since closed. The filings began since January and more are expected.
Lawrence County Zephyr attempt to contact the company was unsuccessful due to the phone being disconnected.
The business has closed its doors, as customers continue to file claims against the company, and the owner Richard King.
Customers from both Greene and Lawrence Counties have filed their complaints in Greene County Superior Court with claims from $1,400- $5,500.
Some of the monuments are finished waiting to be delivered, while others have not had their monuments completed.
The company has filed bankruptcy which may complicated those filing the complaints in getting their money back.
For breaking news and information go to lczephyr.org or like/follow the Lawrence County Zephyr Facebook page
For breaking news and information go to lczephyr.org or like/follow the Lawrence County Zephyr Facebook Page.
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Free-Holiness Church 11122 Indiana 54 Cincinnati, Indiana
