AG Brnovich Wins Consumer Fraud Trial Against Tucson Moving Company

PHOENIX - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a Pima County Superior Court found 3 Gorillas Moving and Storage, LLC violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and ordered the company to pay more than $17,000 in consumer restitution. 3 Gorillas Moving was owned and operated by Troy Emerson.

"Moving is stressful enough and Arizonans should be able to trust a moving company with their most valuable possessions," said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. "We wanted justice for Arizona consumers and we're pleased with the court's decision."

The Arizona Attorney General’s Office filed a Consumer Fraud Lawsuit in November 2014. After a bench trial, the court found 3 Gorillas and owner Troy Emerson:

  • misrepresented to some customers that 3 Gorillas was affiliated with a national moving company;
  • failed to address some consumer claims after personal property had been damaged during the move; and
  • misrepresented prices quoted to consumers, and then told a consumer they would not leave the consumer’s home unless a new, higher price was paid or did not deliver a consumer’s belongings because the new, higher price was not paid.

The court concluded 3 Gorillas and Emerson engaged in deceptive practices, misrepresentations, and suppressed or omitted material facts in connection with the sale or advertisement of services.

The court further banned 3 Gorillas and Emerson from engaging in deceptive, unfair and fraudulent business practices and ordered Defendants to pay a total of $17,010 in restitution to seven consumers. Defendants will also pay a civil penalty fine of $18,000 and the State’s attorneys fees and costs in an amount to be determined by the court.

Assistant Attorneys General Taren Ellis Langford, Shanelle C. Schmitz, and Timothy Watson represented the State in this matter.

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by contacting the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6504, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1(800) 352-8431. Bilingual consumer protection staff members are available to assist. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Attorney General’s website.

View a copy of the Court Ruling.