Florida Pool Company Owner Charged With White Collar Fraud
According to a report from the South Florida Business Journal, the owner of a pool company in Florida has been charged with several different white collar fraud offenses James Ivan Staten Jr. stands accused of billing customers out of at least $1.5 million. He was the owner and operator of Olympus Pools—a now bankrupt company that was headquartered in Lutz, Florida. In this article, our Orlando white collar criminal defense attorney discusses the charges filed in this case.
Florida Attorney General: Pool Company Owner Faces White Collar Criminal Fraud Charges
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced criminal charges against a man named James Ivan Staten Jr.—the owner of Olympus Pools. Notably, Olympus Pools was permanently closed last year and is going through a civil bankruptcy proceeding. The business stands accused of misappropriating around $1.5 million from more than 150 customers. The company reportedly took down payments from customers by reportedly never finishing—or, in some cases, even started their pool. Mr. Staten Jr. is facing several felony charges. Notably, Olympus Pools and its owner reportedly also bilked several contractors out of funds. The company is also facing civil complaints from affecting customers and subcontractors.
An Overview of White Collar Criminal Charges Filed in this Case
The Florida Attorney’s General Office is pursuing multiple white collar criminal charges against James Ivan Staten Jr. Among other things, Mr. Staten Jr. is facing the following felony allegations:
- Organized Scheme to Defraud: The criminal charge may be filed against parties that systematically planned and executed fraudulent activities with the intention of wrongfully obtaining property or money. Under Florida law, an organized scheme to defraud occurs when there is a systematic effort to defraud another through the use of false statements, material misrepresentations, or material omissions of fact.
- Grand Theft: Grand theft pertains to the unlawful taking of someone else’s property with an intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the rightful owner of it. In Florida, the degree of the theft, which ranges from first to third degree, is contingent on the value of the property stolen.
- Contractor Fraud: Contractor fraud is a criminal offense that occurs when a contractor misrepresents the nature, quality, or amount of services they provide, or when they fail to deliver on promises made in a contractual agreement, usually to obtain more money than what’s rightfully due. In this Florida case, accusations suggest that contractors possibly overcharged for services, employed substandard materials while charging for premium ones, or collected payment without completing the agreed-upon work.
Contact Our Orlando, FL White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando white collar criminal defense lawyer is a strong and sophisticated advocate for clients. If you or your family member is facing any type of fraud charge, please do not hesitate to contact our legal team for a fully confidential consultation. With law offices in Orlando and Miami, we handle white collar criminal cases throughout Florida.
Source:
bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2023/08/16/ashley-moody-charges-tampa-bay-pool-company.html
