Just say no

East Lansing shuts the door on Just Energy

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WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8 – Lansing and East Lansing residents are encouraged to call police if representatives of Just Energy come knocking on their door.

East Lansing barred the company Sept. 24 from soliciting door-to-door after applicants for peddler’s licenses were denied because of criminal records.

“We sent the corporate offices a notice that they were prohibited from soliciting in East Lansing,” City Clerk Marie Wicks said, “because the majority of applicants were not able to solicit based on the results of the criminal background checks.”

The Ontario-based company provides electricity and natural gas services.

Three of the five Just Energy peddler license applicants came back with “fairly significant criminal backgrounds,” including convictions on drugs and weapons possession charges, as well as a registered sex offender.

Wicks said the city requires those wishing to sell goods or services door-to-door are required to obtain a peddler’s license. Obtaining such a license requires being fingerprinted and having a criminal background check conducted.

Nancy Donnaperna, communications manager for Just Energy said, "We have initiated an investigation in this matter."

"We will respond once we have concluded the investigation," she said. 

The Better Business Bureau has given the company an “F” and currently has an alert on the company.

“BBB files indicate that this business has a large volume and pattern of complaints concerning misleading sales practices,” the alert on the website reads.

Despite being barred two weeks ago, Wicks says as recently as this morning she received a complaint that Just Energy representatives were soliciting. She encourages residents to call police.

Police could detain Just Energy employees for violating the peddler’s license ordinance, but Wicks was unclear what charges, and whether they were civil or criminal, such an employee could face.

Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope says he has no licenses on file for Just Energy. He also encouraged residents to call police if Just Energy representatives are soliciting.

Lansing City Councilmember Carol Wood said she was “absolutely” concerned about the safety of residents based on the East Lansing findings.

“I think we have just cause to have Lansing Police contact their headquarters and tell them that their door-to-door operations are violating the law,” says Wood. “And that they need to stop immediately.”

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