MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced that hundreds of Wisconsin consumers were provided restitution for companies alleged to have violated consumer protection laws. Both of these cases were resolved prior to the enactment of Act 369 and involve restitution legally owed to third parties.

“Members of DOJ’s Public Protection Unit work to protect consumers who have been harmed by unlawful conduct,” said AG Kaul. “I’m proud to announce today that 267 consumer victims will be receiving restitution.”

Wisconsin O’Connor Corporation and Mary Ann O’Connor

Wisconsin O’Connor Corporation and Mary Ann O’Connor (collectively “the “O’Connors”) are landlords of 23 apartment buildings in southeastern Wisconsin. All of the O’Connors’ apartments are operated by Paul O’Connor, co-owner of the Wisconsin O’Connor Corporation and son of Mary Ann O’Connor. The state filed an enforcement action against the O’Connors in May 2015. The complaint alleged violations of Wisconsin’s consumer protection laws for making illegal security deposit deductions and using an illegal provision in their standard rental agreements.

In July 2018, the Milwaukee County Circuit Court entered a Consent Judgment against the O’Connors. The judgment prohibits the defendants from continuing their unlawful practices and requires them to pay consumer restitution.

After reviewing returned consumer restitution claim forms, the DOJ Public Protection Unit issued a total of $116,400.32 to 229 Wisconsin consumers victims on December 20, 2019.  

Northstar Alarm Services, LLC.

Northstar Alarm Services, LLC, (Northstar Alarm) is a home security company out of Utah. In 2017, Northstar Alarm sent a team of sales people to Milwaukee to sell alarm systems with five-year service contracts door-to-door. The State filed an enforcement action against Northstar Alarm in December 2017. The complaint alleged that Northstar Alarm violated Wisconsin’s consumer protection laws by failing to properly disclose alarm response fees and that the company prohibited cancelations.  

In February 2019, the Milwaukee County Circuit Court entered a Consent Judgment against Northstar Alarm. The judgment prohibits the defendants from continuing their unlawful practices and requires them to pay consumer restitution.

After reviewing returned consumer restitution claim forms, the DOJ Public Protection Unit issued a total of $9,421.86 to 38 Wisconsin consumers victims on December 20, 2019.