Contractor extortion

My contractor has been fined by the County for building without a permit. He insists that I, as the homeowner, pay the fine before he will continue with the work. He has not completed the work that he has already been paid for. How do I get around this financial extortion he is putting on me.

That is nonsense!!
Based on what you say here, you could file suit against them (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to their behavior... You may also report them to your state attorney general's office.

Thanks for your reply. I am in the process of filing a small claims court claim but it is doubtful if I will ever get the money back. The contractor has done this before. I have also complained to the DA's office and will lay a criminal complaint against the contractor. Thanks again for the advice.

[annjd]

Let us know how it goes!