According to the Florida Attorney’s Office, Olympus Pools Owner James Staten was banned from the pool industry for life as part of the settlement of a civil suit. Better call Behnken conducted an extensive investigation in 2021 that revealed numerous unfinished swimming pools in the Tampa Bay area. Multiple state investigations were launched, which led to the Attorney General Ashley Moody filing a lawsuit against Olympus Pools in 2021.
Olympus Pool owner accepts lifetime ban from pool industry
Moody disclosed that Staten had agreed as part of a settlement to permanently dissolve Olympus Pools, and accept a life-time ban from managing any pool companies. The company admitted that it violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Moody stressed the importance of the outcome. “We are now in the middle of summer, when many Floridians would like to spend time with their friends and families, including Florida consumers who were victims of the owner’s greed, and left with holes on their backyard.” My Consumer Protection Division closed this company down and secured a life-time ban for the owner, to ensure that he would never operate a pool business in Florida again.
The AG’s office continues to conduct a Criminal Investigation despite the civil settlement. Court documents reveal that, in relation to the ongoing Olympus pool bankruptcy case the AG’s Office can pursue a million dollar claim. The bankruptcy case will include this claim, despite the original desire to get a judgment of $10 million. Staten was unable to prove sufficient funds, which led to the revised amount.
Olympus Pools closed and left unfinished many projects in the Tampa Bay Area. Homeowners were forced to scramble to find other companies who could finish their pools. Olympus had been paid in full by many customers for their pool projects. This left them in an uncertain situation. Some of these clients have expressed mixed emotions about the settlement.
Christopher Deale expressed his disappointment at the handling of the case by the Attorney General. After paying Olympus pools, Deale had to hire a second pool company to complete the project. He raised concerns over the money trail and questioned why there were no charges. “The other question is where is money trail?” The money trail doesn’t disappear.
Unresolved emotions among the affected customers underscore the need for comprehensive investigations and stringent measures to prevent future incidents. The outcome of the criminal investigation and bankruptcy will be determined in due course, but Staten’s lifetime ban serves as a warning that deceptive business practices will not be tolerated.
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