Harford County Home Builders Charged With Abandoning Projects Before Completion

HARFORD COUNTY - The Maryland Attorney General's Office has charged Korey Homes Building Group LLC, a Harford County-based home-building company, with alleged violations of multiple Maryland laws, including the Consumer Protection Act and the Home Builder Registration Act.

Reports from the Attorney General's Office state that Korey Homes, under the management of Kenneth W. Smith and Korey Wayne Smith, accepted significant payments from customers for custom home projects in Harford County. However, the company did not complete the construction as promised.

The charges against Korey Homes and the Smiths suggest they failed to adhere to Maryland's protections for new home purchasers. Allegations include misappropriation of funds, disseminating misleading information, and failing to disclose vital details. Additionally, the charges indicate that the company and its proprietors did not submit necessary information during their home builder registration application.

The Office of Administrative Hearings will conduct a hearing about these charges on Dec. 6 at 9:30 a.m. Due to the alleged legal infractions, the Home Builder Registration Unit is pursuing several actions, including restitution and civil penalties. Korey Homes' Forest Hill office has closed, their website is down, and the company's primary phone line is disconnected.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown commented on the matter, stating, "Building a home represents not just a significant investment of time, money, and commitment but also the realization of a dream for many in Maryland. When investing in a new home, consumers should expect their builders to understand this significance and deliver on their promises legally and responsibly."

Consumers who have had problems with this builder or others should contact the Home Builder Registration Unit at 410-576-6573 in Baltimore or call toll-free at 877-259-4525. The Attorney General's Office encourages new home buyers to check whether their builder is registered by calling the Home Builder Registration Unit or visiting www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/pages/cpd/homebuilder.

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