An Action 4 News investigation into the practices of a McAllen furniture store took a dramatic turn after authorities stepped in with deceptive trade practice allegations.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office has accused a National Furniture Liquidators with violating state laws that govern “going out of business” sales.

The Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit on Wednesday to seek restitution for financially-harmed customers.

The Nolana Avenue store is accused of launching a sale earlier this year, using “Store Closing Forever” and “Lost Our Lease” banners.

The store also hired people to carry signs promoting the sale at busy street intersections.

According to lawsuit, National Furniture Liquidators misled the public by assuring customers that furniture purchased during the sale could be picked up on the same day of purchase or within two days.

The Attorney General’s Office alleges that store representatives knew purchased furniture could not be delivered on time because items were not in stock and would have to be ordered from a supplier.

The alleged scheme induced customers into buying products they would not have purchased had they known about the delay.

The Attorney General’s Office also alleges that employees at National Furniture Liquidators required customers to sign “invoice contracts” with furniture purchases.

These contracts allegedly contained language stating that customers would not be entitled to refunds, returns or exchanges under any circumstances.

As a result, when the company failed to deliver purchased furniture or other store products within the agreed-upon time or a reasonable time, the defendants denied customers’ refund requests.

The Attorney General is seeking penalties of up to $20,000 per violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

In addition, failed to file an original inventory with the Hidalgo County Appraisal District and obtain a permit to conduct a “going out of business” sale, as required by law.

Texans who believe they have been deceived by similar fraudulent business practices are encouraged to call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 252-8011 or file a complaint online at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov.