Attorney general fines home builder $1.6M
Curran said in a statement that Opportunity Investment Group Inc. of Baltimore and its principals, Leon Coleman and Emma Coleman, broke state law by failing to build 11 homes in Prince George's County for which it had taken deposits from consumers. Opportunity Investment was ordered to return more than $1.1 million collected from consumers and pay a fine of $509,000.

Attorney general fines home builder $1.6M

Baltimore Business Journal - 3:12 PM EDT Friday

by Alan Zibel Staff

Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. said Friday his office has fined a Baltimore developer $1.6 million, citing the company with failing to obey state home-building laws.

Curran said in a statement that Opportunity Investment Group Inc. of Baltimore and its principals, Leon Coleman and Emma Coleman, broke state law by failing to build 11 homes in Prince George's County for which it had taken deposits from consumers.

Opportunity Investment was ordered to return more than $1.1 million collected from consumers and pay a fine of $509,000.

"For most of us, the biggest investment of our lifetime is our home, and that investment must be protected," Curran said in a statement. "Home builders must play by the rules -- or face the consequences."

According to Curran's statement, Opportunity Investment failed to place deposits paid by consumers into an escrow account and also failed to register as a home builder with the state.

Consumers can check whether a builder is registered to operate in Maryland at www.oag.state.md.us/homebuilder/.