New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster announces that Roger L. Bernier pleaded guilty in Rockingham County Superior Court to two felony counts of Theft by Unauthorized Taking, pursuant to a course of conduct related to his work as a home roofing contractor.

In December 2013, the grand juries of Rockingham and Hillsborough Counties indicted Mr. Bernier for entering into agreements with six consumers to provide them with home contracting services, taking over $16,000 in deposits, and purposely failing to provide the promised services. This conduct took place between December 2011 and May 2012. Those consumers filed complaints with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Bureau and, after investigation, the State sought indictments in both counties. The cases were later consolidated in the Rockingham County Superior Court for today's plea and sentencing.

Mr. Bernier was sentenced to serve 2-20 years in state prison for the Rockingham County case. In the Hillsborough case, Bernier received an additional sentence of 3-6 years, which was suspended for a period of 10 years and was imposed consecutively to the Rockingham sentence. Mr. Bernier has been ordered to pay restitution to the victims in the amount of $17,280, with $8,000 paid on the day of the sentencing, another $2,000 to be paid within 45 days of the guilty plea and the balance to be paid through the Department of Corrections while Bernier is on parole.

The Consumer Protection Bureau accepts complaints from consumers who feel they were victims of unfair or deceptive business practices. The Bureau maintains a consumer hotline that is open during regular business hours - 1-888-468-4454. Additional information and an on-line complaint form available at the Attorney General's website - http://doj.nh.gov/consumer/.