Pool Contractors
Amore Pools, Inc.Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Pool Contractors.
Information and Alerts
Alert Details
This business has 1 alert.
Government Actions
State of Florida vs Brian Washburn, Chrystal Washburn. Case no 2021 CF 001154 A Indian River County Court.
UPDATE as of June 25, 2024
Crystal Washburn has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty of felony charges related to Amore Pools defrauding of consumers by taking money for pool construction and failing to complete the work.
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UPDATE As of May 24, 2024
Crystal Washburn has been found guilty of:
False information on application for a contractor's license
Unlicensed contractor during state of emergency
Organized scheme to defraud
Seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information
Two counts of money laundering
Omit/conceal information to avoid workers compensation premium
Insurance application fraud
She is scheduled to be sentenced June 25, 2024.
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UPDATE As of August 29, 2022:
Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 30-year prison sentence for a Florida man on multiple felony charges for operating a multimillion-dollar pool contracting scheme. Amore Pools Inc. owner, Brian Washburn, defrauded Florida homeowners by taking upfront payments and deposits often leaving dangerous debris piles and gaping holes in victims’ backyards.
The Honorable Judge Vaughn of the 19th Judicial
Circuit sentenced Washburn to a 30-year sentence on nine felony counts:
one count of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony; two
counts of money laundering of more than $100,000, a first-degree felony;
and six counts of fraudulent use of personal identification
information, a third-degree felony. The judge also ordered Washburn to
pay $3 million in restitution for the victims of the pool fraud scheme.
Washburn’s wife and co-conspirator, Chyrstal
Washburn, remains in custody at the Indian River County Jail. Chrystal
Washburn’s charges are currently pending.
LINK: http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/ACF6431CF528308E852588AD0054C329?Open&
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As of June 28, 2022:
An Indian River County jury convicted Brian Washburn on nine of the 12 felony charges against him.
Washburn
was found guilty on charges of organized scheme to defraud, six counts
of fraudulent use of personal identification information, and two counts
of money laundering.
A sentencing date has not been set. Washburn will remain in jail without bond as he awaits his sentencing.
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As of October 6, 2021:
FDLE agents arrested local pool contractors Brian and Chrystal Washburn, of Amore' Pools Inc., after a scheme to defraud homeowners by taking large deposits to build in-ground residential swimming pools, but never completing the projects.
Once a contract was signed, victims were required to pay a 25 percent deposit. Homeowners in Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Martin counties signed contracts with Amore' Pools. In some cases, projects were abandoned before work was started, but other times the Washburns dug large holes in the victims' backyards with dangerous debris piles around the project site. The overwhelming majority of pools were never completed.
FDLE agents say the scheme resulted in losses of over $2 million from hundreds of victims. Upon receiving deposit checks from homeowners, the Washburns used a third-party check cashing store to convert the checks into cash in an attempt to conceal the illicit funds.
The investigation began in July, and investigators say the couple provided numerous fraudulent documents and at least one forged signature in their credentialing application packet in 2017. Using this fraudulent information, Amore' Pools became a registered pool/spa contractor.
Agents served search warrants at the Washburn residence and Amore' Pools on Tuesday. Brian and Chrystal Washburn are charged with false information on an application for contractor's license, working as an unlicensed contractor, organized scheme to defraud, identity theft, money laundering, concealing information to avoid workers compensation premiums and insurance application fraud.
The Washburns were booked into Indian River County Jail. This case is being prosecuted by Office of Statewide Prosecution.
For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
LINK: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/News/2021/October/FDLE-arrests-Vero-Beach-business-owners-for-scheme
Important Information
Believed to be out of business
According to information in BBB files, it appears that this business is no longer in business.
Additional Info
Complaints from consumers on file with BBB generally allege issues with delays in completing projects and some consumers allege issues with the quality of work performed.
BBB will continue to monitor and update the company's report as needed. As of June 23, 2021:
Martin County Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board has determined Amore Pools violated Section 43.42.0, General Ordinances, Martin County Code. Amore Pools permitting privileges are suspended in Martin County for a period of eight (8) months from the date of this Order. Amore Pools shall address all of the issued and pending pool permits as the date of this order and obtain final permit approval within eight (8) months of the date of this Order. Amore Pools shall appear before the Board on November 24, 2021 and provide a progress report on the status of any outstanding permits.
For further information, please contact:
Building Department
Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Telephone: 772-288-5482
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