Kirby Dealer Confirms Vacuum Cleaner Salespeople Were Independent Contractors

A representative of a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Kirby Vacuum Cleaner dealer confirms that the three people in the white van who were attempting to sell products door-to-door in Starke County back in February all worked for his company at the time. Alexandria Marie Cortese, 23, and Collin Joel Paul, 23, are still employed by Cezo, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Craig F. Randle, 27, worked for the company at the time but left a few months ago. The three filed complaints against Greg Wireman of North Judson, who is running for Starke County Sheriff, claiming that he told them he was a corrections officer. Wireman now faces a D felony charge and has been summoned to appear in court next month.

Documents from the Michigan Department of Corrections and Kent County, Mich. clerk’s office indicate Paul was convicted in 2009 of larceny in a building. It’s unclear whether the conviction was for a felony or a misdemeanor charge. The Cezo representative with whom WKVI spoke said the company does perform background checks on all of its independent contractors. Additionally, he advised that Kirby allows its representatives to enter people’s homes until 9 p.m. each evening. When asked if that is in accordance with the law, he replied it’s “company policy.” The Starke County auditor’s office has no record of any of the three vacuum cleaner salespeople obtaining the necessary county transient merchant permits to sell items door-to-door. A permit was issued April 24 to a man named Jonathan Gross, who does not work for Cezo.