Company Makes Money off Mold Fears

[Guest guest]

Company Makes Money off Mold Fears

KPHO Phoenix Tue, 23 May 2006 1:33 PM PDT

http://www.kpho.com/Global/story.asp?S=4938990 & nav=23Ku

(CBS 5 NEWS) - Our hidden camera investigation exposed a groundswell

of mistrust, resentment and contempt for one company. A company that

preys on your fear of mold.

Air of America uses enticing coupons to catch your eye and then

reels you in with a sales pitch customers say is riddled with deceit.

Ruth Engleman says, " He said this is all very serious... very bad...

and toxic mold. "

Since our report we've received repeated calls and emails, so we

invited these viewers-turned-victims to join us in the CBS 5 studios.

Mia Marr says, " I called them because my daughter's been sick... "

So did Weidman.

Weidman says, " They'd preface with, " I'm not a doctor but, this

could really be the cause of all your problems. "

We heard similar stories from Loretta, Marge, Shane and Henry.

Henry Navarro says, " It's almost like a physician coming to your

house and having an instant remedy for your illness, and you buy it. "

But experts say serious mold is a condition these technicians are in

no position to diagnose without lab

testing. That hasn't stopped Air of America from estimating or

charging $1500, $2200 - even $4,000 for what some insist is an

unnecessary service.

" It's very disheartening that people can live with themselves taking

advantage of people that way, I think it's very wrong.. "

What we now know - the men behind Air of America are living well and

laying low in Texas.

So after days of online detective work we headed to Dallas to

unravel a web of holding companies, mail drops and private homes.

The " Corporate Location " on the company's website is actually a UPS

mail drop. But a closer look at public records reveals Air of

America is an assumed name - owned by the Mitonos Group and a

Cohen, with an address on Preston Road.

Reporter Mark Lodato says, " I'm looking for a group called the

Mitonos Group... "

We don't find Mitonos here, but find Abe Toobian instead - the

company's accountant.

Lodato asks, " Have you heard of Air of America? In relation to the

Mitonos Group? Do you do their accounting also? "

Toobian: It's the same people. " Toobian tells me it's a Sam Cohen

who owns the company.

Abe Toobian says, " I don't know any Michal Cohen. "

Strange, since " owner " Michal Cohen signed this state tax report, a

document apparently faxed from Abe Toobian's office seven months

ago. We leave with a new phone number for Sam Cohen.

Reporter Lodato says, " We're in Dallas and we'd like to speak with

you in regard to your company Air of America. "

Our message goes un-returned - for now, but that same tax document

has another address for the Mitonos Group at 1221 West ,

Suite 161. Instead of Mitonos, we're surprised to find Air of

America and a locked door!

Lodato says, " Hi ma'am, I'm Mark Lodato with the CBS affiliate in

Phoenix Arizona can you please open the door? Ma'am we're not going

to go away. "

Three minutes after our first knock on the door my cell phone rings

and on the other end of the line Sam Cohen - a man we've been trying

to reach for weeks.

Lodato says, " Can you tell me why you've never returned my phone

calls before today? "

But instead of answering our questions Sam Cohen asks me to " step

back? "

Next we decided to take a look behind the building where we found

two trucks; one registered to Cohen, and the other to a Yoel

Oliel, believed to be the local manager for Air of America. Our

knocks at their homes go unanswered.

But an employee tells us Yoel Oliel drives this red Tahoe - a

vehicle owned by Sam Cohen.

Reporter asks, " Are you Yoel? You work at Air of America. No?

Really? "

I remind him he's behind the wheel of Sam Cohen's Tahoe, which has

also been spotted at the home of manager Yoel Oliel.

" I don't know what you're talking about, " said the man.

" Oh yes you do sir, " said Lodato.

Our parking lot confrontation prompts another call from the

mysterious Sam Cohen.

Lodato says, " Well what I would like to do with you sir is sit down

and talk with you.... "

But this time Sam Cohen tells me, " With me you're not going to get

anything. You started this game, and if you don't want to finish it,

we're going to play with you until you decide that it's enough for

you. " It may be a game to Sam Cohen, but certainly not to these

people.

Henry Navarro says, " It's easy... it's real easy money and they know

it. "

Weidman says, " It has definitely made me very bitter and very

untrusting. "

Loretta Rizzo says, " I feel like we're just a drop in this bucket -

what's happening to all the other people who can't defend

themselves? "

Air of America has failed to give us any sort of response or comment

in the past six weeks or so, until today. This afternoon we received

this fax, which reads in part:

" We have operated in the Phoenix area since 2001 and have worked

hard both to provide a valuable service to homeowners and to help

create meaningful work for local residents. Regrettably, no business

can satisfy every customer, but rest assured that Air of America

will continue to strive to provide each of its customers with great

service at a fair price. "

It is signed by Mike Cohen, V.P. Air of America.

You can count on the 5i Team to continue our efforts to hold Air of

America accountable, including efforts to talk to Mike Cohen, Sam

Cohen or anyone who will discuss the company's business practices.

05.22.06