Complaint Review: BeaverFloor

The Georgia Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) is currently investigating Beaverfloor (also known sometimes as www.beaverfloor.com, Earth Floor, Value Carpet Center, Great Hardwood, LLC, E.F., Inc., and E.F., Inc. D/B/A BeaverHome) based on conduct that occurred since approximately mid to late 2002 through this year, and only for the conduct alleged while the company was based in Georgia. Prior to mid 2002 the company operated from the state of New York or Canada.

Many people have complained they purchased wood flooring from Beaverfloor, Earth Floor or Value Carpet Center after viewing the company's website at www.beaverfloor.com, but never received the product or in certain instances, received a product inferior in quality and/or quantity to that which was ordered.

During May 2004 OCA obtained and served search warrants for the company's most recent addresses in Gainesville, Georgia and arrest warrants for Cornelius Coleman Martin, Jr. (AKA Neal Martin) and Cornelius Coleman Martin III (AKA Cole Martin). Neal Martin and Cole Martin have been released on bond.

Complaints for conduct that occurred since approximately mid to late 2002 through this year, while the company was based in Georgia can be mailed to the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs, 2 M. L. King, Jr. Drive, Suite 356, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Include a detailed statement concerning your complainant along with any and all copies of invoices, summaries of conversations, emails, letters, bank statements or other material that relates to the transaction. Also, please include your full contact information including email address.

OCA cannot guarantee or promise that anyone will receive restitution based on our action. OCA cannot promise regular updates on the progress of the criminal case investigation due to the nature of the case and volume of emails, calls and letters. Calls and emails sent to the Georgia Attorney General's Office regarding this case are automatically forwarded to OCA without response. OCA cannot assist you for transactions that took place outside of the state of Georgia. OCA is presently investigating further. All defendants are innocent unless or until found otherwise by a court of law.

Please do not call or email at this time. Written complaints filed to the address above are needed for the complaint to be filed.

Cornelius Neal Martin, Jr. and his son Cornelius Cole Martin, III were both arrested in Hall County Georgia and charged with violation of Georgia's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization statute, O.C.G.A. 16-14-1 et. seq. The investigation into the criminal activity of these two defendants is being conducted by Inv. Monty Mohr of the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs. Inv. Mohr can be reached at (404)656-3790 or by email at monty.mohr@oca.state.ga.us . It has been represented to me that the Attorney General for the State of Georgia will be prosecuting these defendants due to the widespread nature of the victims in the case. It is my understanding that the formal paperwork needed to invoke the Attorney General's jurisdiction over the matter is being processed and they will formally take over the prosecution soon. If the Attorney General does not assume jurisdiction, then the case would be handled by our office.

I handled the bond hearing in Magistrate court on the Martins because the AG had not been formally appointed to handle the case. An assistant attorney general was present at the hearing and is aware of the proceeding. We opposed bond for the two defendants however, the Magistrate saw fit to issue bond for both. Neal Martin's bond was set at $100,000 and Cole Martin's bond was set at $50,000. Both defendants have numerous conditions on their bonds and both have made bond. Neal Martin made bond on May 14, 2004 and Cole Martin made bond on May 11, 2004.

In addition to the charges in Georgia against the two defendants, it appears that the U.S. Attorney's office in Buffalo, New York is investigating possible criminal charges against them at the federal level. Additionally, it is my understanding that the Attorney General's office in New York has civil actions against the Martins.

If anyone has been a victim of the Martins / Beaver Flooring or has information concerning this criminal enterprise, I would encourage them to contact Inv. Mohr at the number or email listed above.

Today is 05/11/2004 and I have confirmed that both Neal & Cole are in the Hall County (Gainesville, GA) jail (770 531-6904) for racketering charges. There is no bail set for them so they can't get out of jail.

Our local Fox5 Investigator Reporter went into Neal's office in Gainesville, Ga last week unannounced! With cameras rolling, in went the reporter...Neal looked SHOCKED by the unannounced visit! I have met Neal several times when he had his Suwanee, GA (Gwinnett County) showroom along with Cole and the other crew. He was having a hard time breathing as he tried to answer the reporters questions. I'll try to stay updated as things happen.

Today is 05/11/2004 and I have confirmed that both Neal & Cole are in the Hall County (Gainesville, GA) jail (770 531-6904) for racketering charges. There is no bail set for them so they can't get out of jail.

Our local Fox5 Investigator Reporter went into Neal's office in Gainesville, Ga last week unannounced! With cameras rolling, in went the reporter...Neal looked SHOCKED by the unannounced visit! I have met Neal several times when he had his Suwanee, GA (Gwinnett County) showroom along with Cole and the other crew. He was having a hard time breathing as he tried to answer the reporters questions. I'll try to stay updated as things happen.

Today is 05/11/2004 and I have confirmed that both Neal & Cole are in the Hall County (Gainesville, GA) jail (770 531-6904) for racketering charges. There is no bail set for them so they can't get out of jail.

Our local Fox5 Investigator Reporter went into Neal's office in Gainesville, Ga last week unannounced! With cameras rolling, in went the reporter...Neal looked SHOCKED by the unannounced visit! I have met Neal several times when he had his Suwanee, GA (Gwinnett County) showroom along with Cole and the other crew. He was having a hard time breathing as he tried to answer the reporters questions. I'll try to stay updated as things happen.