On June 16, 2003, Jeff Hunter, doing business as The Floor Guyzz in Tyrone, filed a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. This puts a stay on the current cases that have been filed before District Justice Fred Miller.
The district justice received notice from the law office of Foreman and Swartzkopf in Altoona that it is representing Hunter in this matter.
According to Section 362, if the Bankruptcy Code provides for an automatic stay upon the filing of a Bankruptcy, the code provides for an automatic stay upon any filing of a bankruptcy petition. This stay protects the debtor from any lawsuits during the tendency of the providing before the Bankruptcy Court. It stays creditors from commencing law suits or proceeding in a pending law suit against the debtor until the Bankruptcy Court vacates the automatic stay.
As of press time today, letters have been sent to Ray Benton, Michael Laird, Susan Graudons, Harry and Lori Lewis, Robert Gherrity III, Dianne Day, and the Northern Blair Regional Sewer Authority concerning the bankruptcy filing.
Attorney Walter Swartzkopf, who is representing Hunter, was unavailable for comment because he was in court this morning.
The State Attorney General’s office recommends that the people who have filed motions follow up in Bankruptcy Court.
“Each consumer should file a claim,” said Barry Creany, senior deputy attorney general. “The consumers may also want to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office. This would enable the Attorney General’s office to investigate whether or not the consumer protection act has been violated.”
Since the story first broke in The Daily Herald on June 19, three more complaints have been filed with District Justice Miller’s office. Laurie Walker, Carol Ewing and James Tecca filed civil complaints with Miller’s office for services not rendered.
For consumers to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office, they can call 1-800-441-2555 or they can write to the Attorney General’s Ebensburg office at 171 Lovell Avenue, Suite 202, Ebensburg, Pa. 15931.
