Hillsborough man ordered to stop paving scheme

Judge Howard Manning agreed Thursday with Cooper’s request for a temporary restraining order against Jimmy Stevens and his various companies, including Orange Paving, Ace Paving, Power Black Top Paving and Big Time Paving. Cooper asked for the order based on four complaints filed with the state Consumer Protection Division.

Authorities said Stevens often approaches homeowners, especially seniors, and offers to pave their driveway at what he claims is a deep discount using leftover materials from a nearby job. He usually starts work before the homeowner ever sees or signs a contract, and when the work is done, he tells consumers not to drive on the paving for three days to allow it to harden. But the paving material never hardens, Stevens never returns and weeds soon start growing through cracks in the poorly paved driveway, authorities said.

People from Creedmoor, Kernersville and Raleigh have lost between $1,250 and $7,000 each to the scam, and the Consumer Protection Division has also heard from victims in Thomasville, Cooper said.

Cooper is seeking a permanent ban against Stevens’ driveway work, civil penalties and refunds for consumers. Stevens also faces criminal charges from authorities in Polk County, Fla., for fraudulent paving work done in that area.

"Don’t get steamrolled by a paving scammer,” Cooper said in a statement. “Be skeptical of anyone who knocks at your door offering to work on your home, and always check out a company thoroughly and get estimates in writing first.”

To check out a home repair company or file a complaint against one, North Carolina consumers can call1-877-5-NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at www.ncdoj.gov.