NEW ORLEANS – Five customers allege they were exploited by a solar panel scam.
James Lukens, Taylor McInerney, Todd Tassin, Amelia Lambert and Mark Gagliano filed a lawsuit Jan. 18 against Joule LLC in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
According to the complaint, Joule is a solar company that convinced the plaintiffs to enter into solar contracts. The suit states before Jun 19, 2015, Louisiana offered a tax credit to individuals who purchased solar panels.
The lawsuit states the five plaintiffs entered into a contract with Joule after June 19, 2015, but were promised by the defendant that they would receive tax credits. The suit says Joule misrepresented the situation to the plaintiffs, failing to inform them that they were not eligible for the tax credit. The lawsuit says this caused the defendants to be financially injured by Joule increasing the price of the solar panels past what they were worth and exploiting the plaintiffs' naivety about the tax credits.
The plaintiffs seek all reasonable damages, court costs, attorney fees and all appropriate relief. They are represented by attorney Jason Z. Landry of Martzell, Bickford & Centola in New Orleans.
The case has been assigned to Division G Judge Robin M. Giarrusso.
Orleans Parish Civil District Court Case number 17-558.