Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Brian Jeffrey Strouth, age 51, of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday in the Belknap County Superior Court to one class A misdemeanor count of unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act.

An investigation by the Attorney General's office revealed that between August 21, 2019, and October 2, 2019, Mr. Strouth induced a consumer to pay $4,000 by falsely telling the consumer that Mr. Strouth intended to install a septic system for the consumer. Mr. Strouth, who was not licensed to install septic systems, made ongoing misrepresentations to the consumer as to why Mr. Strouth could not install the septic system. Finally, Mr. Strouth forged a septic installation application and falsely told the consumer the application was filed with the State's Department of Environmental Services.

The Court sentenced Mr. Strouth to serve 12 months in the House of Corrections, all of which is suspended for a period of 3 years. As a condition of the suspended sentence, Mr. Strouth (or any business which he owns or operates) is prohibited from: performing any work for which a license is required, unless he obtains a license or permit to conduct the work and also obtains court approval; and accepting prepayments for work.

The Court also imposed a $1,000 fine and ordered Mr. Strouth to complete 40 hours of community service. Mr. Strouth paid $4,000 in restitution at the time of sentencing.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Bryan J. Townsend, II, of the Attorney General's Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit and Attorney Warren Cormack of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau prosecuted the case.

To report a violation of New Hampshire's Consumer Protection Act, please visit https://www.doj.nh.gov/consumer/complaints/index.htm and submit a complaint form.