The state of Arizona has filed suit against a former Tucson adoption agency for allegedly violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. The lawsuit against Commonwealth Adoptions International, Inc. alleges that the company failed to refund nearly $215,000 to families after the company went out of business at the end of July.

Also according to court documents, the company engaged in a pattern of misrepresentation and deceptive practices including pooling fees and using money paid by one set of parents to pay for other families’ adoptions.

“These families made life-changing decisions and gave this company their money and their trust,” said Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. “They deserve to be reimbursed, and Commonwealth needs to be held accountable for violating the terms of its agreements.

The suit seeks to stop the defendants from engaging in these unlawful practices and prohibit them from conducting any future business in Arizona. It also asks the defendants to pay $10,000 for each violation of the Consumer Fraud Act, provide full restitution to the families and reimburse the State for investigation costs and legal fees.