GLASTONBURY, Conn. -- The attorney general said Tuesday that he's suing Custom Basements of Connecticut for all of its assets as well as damages suffered by its customers.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was alerted to Custom Basements' abrupt closing, which left customers out thousands and with unfinished basements, by the Channel 3 I-Team.

AG: Criminal Charges May Follow Contractor Suit

The lawsuit was announced the day before one of the business' owners filed for bankruptcy.

Homeowner Tina Strell said she's pleased that Blumenthal has filed a civil lawsuit against Custom Basements and its owners, Nicole Kiesman and Shelly Dacey.

"John and I are happy to hear that because what they did was wrong," Strell said.

Strell and her husband, John, are out $32,000. They said they hired the company to finish their basement, but that the work is nowhere near done.

After the I-Team first brought the Strells' story to the public's attention, dozens of other people came forward, from homeowners to subcontractors, saying they were all strung along.

"They basically took our money and didn't do the job," Tina said.

"We're seeking money back for homeowners as well as payments to the subcontractors and the discouragement of all the ill-gotten gains and profits as well as penalties," Blumenthal said.

In addition to the civil lawsuit, Blumenthal said, Custom Basements could face criminal charges as well.

Tina said that when the company pressured them to get their final check, all the employees had been let go and the Glastonbury office had been cleared out. She said that shows the business had no intention of ever doing the work.

But getting any assets could be challenging, the I-Team has learned. Kiesman filed for bankruptcy on Tuesday, claiming she owes nearly $464,000 in debt.

Kiesman did not return request for comment, but in a previous interview, she blamed the economy.

Now that a lawsuit has been filed against Custom basements, homeowners may be able to get up to $15,000 from a special fund set up by the Department of Consumer Protection.

However, before any money is exchanged, a judgment must be made in this case, which could take months.

To file a complaint or learn about the Home Improvement Guarantee Fund set up by the Department Of Consumer Protection, call 860-713-6171.