GLASTONBURY, Conn. -- A Glastonbury remodeling company that received the Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau is under fire by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

Homeowners told the Channel 3 I-Team they gave tens of thousands of dollars to Custom Basements of Connecticut, but that the company abruptly closed, never finishing the jobs.

AG Questions BBB Award To Custom Basements

"I think what sold us on this company is the award that they received back in November from the Better Business Bureau," homeowner Tina Strell said. "They really sold the company to us."

Strell and her husband, John, said the award convinced them to sign a deal with Custom Basements, but that doing so has left them out $32,000 and with an unfinished basement.

Dozens of homeowners with similar stories have also contacted the I-Team.

Company employees have also reported that the business was falling apart.

But Custom Basements got the Torch Award after submitting an application. The owners -- Shelly Dacey and Nicole Kiesman, had their photo taken at the award banquet.

Now, homeowners are asking how the company got the distinction.

The I-Team learned that the awards are self-nominating, and Howard Schwartz, of the Better Business Bureau, said three judges choose the winner.

"At the time, the information or application was submitted to the panel of judges, the previous 36 months showed no issues against this company," Schwartz said.

Also helping clinch the deal for some homeowners was Connecticut's attorney general, who spoke at the award ceremony. The company used a press release from that event to attract new business, homeowners said.

But Blumenthal said he never endorsed the company. He said he's upset they used him as a marketing tool and is now questioning the Better Business Bureau on how it chooses companies for these awards.

"We are asking the Better Business Bureau to cooperate with our investigation and provide us with what information it had on that company, when it had a complaint and what criteria it used," he said.

The attorney general sent a letter to the Better Business Bureau Wednesday afternoon requesting that information. He said he has serious concerns about this case and about how awards are given out to the other companies.