Brothers Plead Guilty

On May 27, 2008 David Koch owner of Porcelain Effects, pled guilty in Pitman Municipal court for advertising "light plumbing" under bathroom remodeling in the Verizon Gloucester County yellow pages. Mr. David Koch had copies of articles from the www.MyNJPlumber.com  and was noted by Gary Devine as saying he was sorry and now understands and supports the NJ Plumbing Licensing Law. The Honorable Judge Powell ordered a $600 fine + court costs and required penalties. Judge Powell also ordered a plumbing restraining order along with the requirement of a telephone disclaimer whenever anybody answers the business telephone or on an answering machine stating that he does not do plumbing. The disclaimer can be removed after the new phone book directories are published. (about 7 months)

Albert Koch apparently David Koch's brother and owner of South Jersey Refinishing also plead guilty for advertised "minor plumbing" inside the same Verizon Phonebook. Mr. Albert Koch was represented by an attorney who did not prevent his conviction. The Honorable Judge Powell ordered a $400.00 + court costs and required penalties. A plumbing restraining order was also issued along with the same disclaimer required of his brother. 

The State of NJ does not recognize a difference between "minor plumbing" and "plumbing"; it’s all plumbing and must be performed by a NJ Master Plumber or a homeowner under certain circumstances. If you are a consumer make sure you always verify a NJ Plumbers License by contacting the NJ Board of Master Plumbers at 973-504-6420. If you are a contractor reading this please understand that if you violate the NJ Plumbing Licensing Law you will eventually get caught - not to mention the fact you are defrauding the public and could be charged by the NJ Attorney General.  

Mike Heller
Editor
www.MyNJPlumber.com

Note: This story was compiled from information sent from Gary Devine, Chairman of the Gloucester and Salem License Enforcement Committee.