Photo: CBS 12
The husband and wife owners of a swimming pool company face multiple charges for allegedly defrauding nearly 150 Floridians out of at least $2 million.
"They systematically set out with a plan to defraud homeowners along the Treasure Coast and other counties."
FDLE Special Agent Lee Massie says Chrystal and Brian Washburn operated Amore Pools out of Vero Beach, taking large deposits for new pool installations and then either leaving the work unfinished or never starting it.
Some of the victims were left with giant holes in their backyards, resulting in the foundation of their home becoming unstable.
The victims span six counties: Brevard, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie, and Massie says the suspects were attempting to branch out to more areas of the state.
He says they forged information to become a registered contractor because Brian Washburn had already been convicted of a similar crime.
The two were arrested on Tuesday.
The case will be prosecuted by the Office of Statewide Prosecution, which operates out of the Florida Attorney General's Office.
Ashley Moody on Wednesday released this statement:
“The defendants took thousands of dollars in upfront payments, then dug holes in customers’ backyards with no intention of ever finishing the work they were paid to complete. This fraudulent pool-contracting scheme harmed dozens of Floridians and violated several state laws. We will make sure these defendants are held accountable for their criminal actions.”
Massie offers advice for homeowners considering hiring a contractor.
"Just do your due diligence to the best of your ability. Citizens work hard for their money and when you're talking about these kind of dollars it's critical that they know exactly who they're dealing with."
St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara was one of several law enforcement officials on hand for the press conference.
"For the 150 victims that we know that are out here on the Treasure Coast, know that the Washburns are on deep end right now. It's not deep end of one of their pools, but it's the deep end of jail and that's where we want to keep them."
Other law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation that led to the arrests include the Indian River County Sheriff's Office and the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Authorities say there may be more victims and want to hear from anyone who did business with the Washburns. They can call the FDLE Fort Pierce Field Office at 772-216-0301.