A furniture company in Mountain Grove has been ordered to pay nearly $1.2 million dollars in restitution after it was sued by the Attorney General’s Office.
The state says Rough Country Rustic Furniture promised to make furniture and home décor to conceal firearms, but never delivered.
As part of the deal, the company and its owners denied any wrongdoing and agreed to repay more than 1,400 customers.
The Better Business Bureau received more than 1,800 complaints about the business and gave it an F rating.
Here’s more from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office:
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced today that his office has obtained a consent judgment against Rough Country Rustic Furniture, LLC, Rustic Concealment Solutions, LLC, Joseph Ross, and Ashley Ross (formerly Dillard). The judgment can be found here: https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2020-12-11-consent-judgment(11907668-6).pdf?sfvrsn=b7b2fdec_2
“My Office’s Consumer Protection Section works tirelessly every single day with consumers across the state to root out scams and fraud, and hold those responsible accountable,” said Attorney General Schmitt. “My Office will continue to aggressively pursue all available options to recoup restitution for those scammed by the Rosses and Rough Country.”
The lawsuit alleged that the Rosses, primarily through their company Rough Country Rustic Furniture, falsely promised to make and deliver rustic furniture and home décor designed to conceal firearms. Rough Country Rustic Furniture operated in Mountain Grove, Missouri, but advertised on social media and sold nationwide. The judgment establishes restitution for over 1,400 consumers who filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office. Supporting documents state that those consumers purchased items ranging from $20 to almost $4,000 that Defendants never delivered.
The judgment also prevents the Rosses from taking upfront money for products that are not in inventory, and must ship products within 10 days of order and payment.
While the consent judgment provides for roughly $1.2 million in restitution, shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the Rosses filed for bankruptcy protection. The Attorney General’s Office has asked the bankruptcy court to order that this judgment not be discharged so that the Office may continue to pursue the Rosses for payment after the bankruptcy is over. The bankruptcy action remains pending.
The Attorney General’s Office will continue to pursue all legally viable options to collect payment for Rough Country customers who failed to receive furniture or a refund.
Attorney General Schmitt encourages citizens who believe they have been scammed to file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office by calling the Consumer Protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or submitting a complaint online at ago.mo.gov.
