Business ProfileforPearl Plumbing Inc.

Attorney General Shapiro Files Suit Against Western PA Father and Son Plumbers for Defrauding Pennsylvania Consumers

The following describes a government action that has been resolved by either a settlement or a decision by a court or administrative agency. If the matter is being appealed, it will be noted below.

On December 13, 2018, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced that the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection has filed a lawsuit and is seeking preliminary injunction against Howard Stahl of Pearl Plumbing, Inc. f/d/b/a Roto-Rooter, and his son Nolan Stahl, and his current business: Stahl Brothers Plumbing, Inc. d/b/a Rooter Man for allegedly defrauding Pennsylvania consumers in the course of recommending the unnecessary replacements of sewer pipes. 

Nolan Stahl, of Erie County formerly worked for his father, Howard Stahl, of Allegheny County, as a service technician and supervisor, and currently does business as “Rooter Man” in Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, and Washington counties. An investigation revealed that while Nolan Stahl worked for his father’s business, Howard Stahl was well aware of consumers’ complaints against his son and other service technicians who were recommending unnecessary repairs. Yet, Howard Stahl continued to demand payment from defrauded consumers, rejected timely efforts to cancel contracts, and failed to take any corrective action against the service technicians allegedly committing the misconduct.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection received complaints from 20 consumers.  The Bureau of Consumer Protection is seeking a preliminary injunction against the defendants to prohibit them from defrauding Pennsylvanians by recommending, contracting for, or accepting payment for plumbing repairs. The complaint alleges Nolan Stahl knowingly recommended the unnecessary replacement of sewer pipes and made misrepresentations, omissions, and misleading statements to consumers in recommending the replacements. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Nolan Stahl defrauded some consumers with pre-recorded video footage of defective sewer pipes, which he claimed was live video footage of the consumers’ pipes. The Bureau of Consumer Protection is not suing Roto Rooter: that company is not a defendant and its corporate office has cooperated with the investigation. 

On January 17, 2020 the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office announced the final Consent Petition with Pearl Plumbing. In accordance with the terms of the Consent Petition, owner Howard Stahl is permanently banned from owning, operating, or managing a home improvement business in Pennsylvania other than Stahl Brothers Plumbing. Except in his capacity as owner, director, and/or manager of Stahl Brothers Plumbing, Howard Stahl agreed to being permanently prohibited to submit an application for registration to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office as a contractor.

Pearl Plumbing was ordered to deactivate it HICPA registration, is permanently prohibited from registering with the Bureau of Consumer Protection as a contractor, and prohibited from advertising, selling, and operating or performing as a contractor for home improvements in Pennsylvania.

According to information from the district manager of Roto Rooter Tim Boyle is no longer employed or principal of the Grove City, Pennsylvania Roto Rooter location as of April 1, 2008. To access a current BBB report on the existing Grove City's Roto Rooter location, click here.