The state Attorney General's office is seeking a criminal contempt-of-court order against a Hamburg man who defied a court order by continuing to operate a home-improvement business after he was ordered not to.

State investigators are building a case against Ronald Timmerman, 30, of Sowles Road in Hamburg. He faces criminal contempt charges for at least 10 violations of a prior court judgment by continuing to solicit business as a home-improvement contractor. Each violation can carry a maximum jail term of 30 days and a $1,000 fine.

In 2007, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office obtained a court order prohibiting Timmerman from operating his home-improvement business unless he repaid $30,000 in restitution to consumers he defrauded.

According to court documents, an investigation discovered that within a few weeks, Timmerman returned to work as a contractor without paying any restitution. He set up partnerships with two other contractors to operate roofing businesses and received advance payments from consumers, but did not deposit the money into an escrow account or post bonds, contracts of indemnity or irrevocable letters of credit, as required by law.

The AG's office also said Timmerman and his partners began underbidding jobs in an effort to solicit business. While the work was in progress, they would then reevaluate the quoted price to charge the homeowner significantly more money.

Last month, the Attorney General's office learned that Timmerman had started a third business, Rock Solid Roofing & Siding.

Buffalo-area consumers who believe they may have been defrauded by Timmerman or have unresolved disputes with a home-improvement contractor are urged to call the Attorney General's Buffalo regional office at 853-8400.

The Attorney General's Buffalo regional office said it mediated 96 consumer complaints against home-improvement contractors last year, resulting in $69,385.79 in restitution to consumers.