Big Sky Times

The Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) has reached an agreement with a Flathead County contractor who will pay $200,000 to victims affected by his fraudulent activities. This announcement was made by Attorney General Austin Knudsen.

The OCP's investigation found that Nathainel Gevern Lewis breached Montana’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act. He used his construction businesses, "From the Ground Up Construction" and "NGL Construction," to solicit clients for construction services, demand payment upfront, and then fail to complete the work as promised.

Lewis allegedly demolished structures like walls or decks without consent, citing false issues such as rot or non-compliance with building codes. He would then ask for additional payments to fix these nonexistent problems. During fencing projects, clients experienced minimal progress and unexpected delays while being asked for more money.

Large upfront payments were demanded by Lewis, often exceeding 50 percent of the total project cost, yet progress remained negligible. In some instances, clients were left with unfinished projects exposed to weather conditions. When demanding money, Lewis reportedly threatened legal action or property liens against non-complying clients.

Attorney General Knudsen and Lewis have signed an agreement which is pending approval from a Flathead County judge. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Lewis may still be attempting scams in Flathead County while awaiting the judge’s signature on the agreement. Residents are advised to remain cautious when hiring contractors.

To ensure protection when selecting a contractor:

- Research your project thoroughly.

- Obtain names of several contractors and check their references.

- Get written bids from multiple contractors and compare them carefully.

- Ensure potential contractors are registered online through the Department of Labor and Industry's website.

- Verify that contractors have liability insurance and workers' compensation coverage.

- Confirm that contractors are bonded.

- Secure a detailed written contract specifying all aspects of the work involved.

For further guidance on choosing a contractor visit: https://dojmt.gov/office-of-consumer-protection/choosing-a-contractor/.

Montanans can report scams or fraudulent activities to the Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection at [email protected], 406-444-4500 (toll-free: 800-481-6896), or online at https://dojmt.gov/office-of-consumer-protection/.