Attorney General Files Suit To Halt Further Sales By Building Salesman

North Dakota Man Duped Farmers, Small Businesses Of At Least $265,375

March 20, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson today filed a lawsuit against a North Dakota man who charged Minnesota farmers and small businesses at least $265,375 for the sale of steel farm buildings and storage buildings that he failed to deliver.

“This individual took hard-earned money from family farmers and small businesses and provided nothing in return. The financial hit to these folks is magnified because of the bad economy,” said Attorney General Swanson. “In some cases, the defendant’s conduct forced the victims to borrow money, put off expansion plans, or delay hiring new employees,” she added.

The lawsuit against Dennis L. Burton, filed in Becker County District Court, alleges that Burton placed advertisements in local newspapers to solicit potential customers to purchase steel buildings for farm or equipment storage. The lawsuit further alleges that Burton required the farmers and small business owners to pay substantial down payments, from several thousand dollars to as much as $65,000. The lawsuit further alleges that, once he received the money, Burton failed to deliver the buildings or to refund the customers’ deposits. The Attorney General’s Office estimates that Burton took at least $265,375 in deposits on steel buildings from Minnesotans where he did not deliver the buildings or refund the money.

The lawsuit seeks to enjoin Burton from marketing steel buildings, whether directly or through any corporation, including Pioneer Building Systems, P.O. Box 9681, Fargo, North Dakota, the trade name under which Burton originally did business, and Quality Steel, 11418 South Lake Eunice Road, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, a Minnesota corporation formed in October, 2008 by Burton’s self-described girlfriend.

In December, 2008 Burton was charged with Theft by Swindle and Theft by False Representation by the Morrison County Attorney in connection with his sale of steel buildings. That case is pending.

Burton lives at 1614 Sheyenne Street in West Fargo, North Dakota.

Consumers who believe that they were taken advantage of by Dennis Burton, Pioneer Building Systems, or Quality Steel Buildings, may file a complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-800-657-3787 or 651-296-3353. Consumers may also download a Consumer Complaint Form from www.ag.state.mn.us and return the completed form to the Attorney General’s Office at 1400 Bremer Tower, 445 Minnesota Street, St. Paul, MN 55101.