Swimming pool contractor Brian Washburn, operator of Amore’ Pools in Vero Beach, Florida, who was convicted of nine felonies this June, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
The sentencing took place on August 26th and was secured by Attorney General Ashley Moody following a jury trial where Washburn was convicted of organized scheme to defraud, two counts of money laundering of more than $100,000, and six counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.
“This fraudster will spend decades in prison for stealing millions of dollars from Floridians who made huge down payments to have pools built on their properties,” Moody said. “He took their money, dug massive holes in their yards, then ran from his contractual obligations to complete the work. But he didn’t get far before the law caught up with him. Now, thanks to my Statewide Prosecutors, he will spend a long time behind bars thinking about his terrible crimes.”
According to a release from Moody’s office, an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found that Washburn induced homeowners in Brevard, Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties to sign contracts to build pools with promises of low prices and quick, professional work.
The contracts required hefty upfront deposits and large frontend payments.
Once Washburn received a deposit, the company sometimes abandoned the project before work began.
In other cases, Washburn dug gaping holes in the victims’ backyards with dangerous debris piles around the project site. The company left the majority of the pool projects uncompleted, resulting in expensive property damage for homeowners.
Then, in an attempt to cover up the fraud, Washburn used a third-party check cashing store to convert the deposits into cash.
This June, a jury heard about nine days of testimony spanning three weeks from 34 victims of the business accusing Washburn and his wife — who was the owner of the business — of essentially stealing their money.
He was convicted of nine felonies on June 28th.
Judge Dan L. Vaughn of the 19th Judicial Circuit sentenced Washburn to a 30-year sentence on nine felony counts and also ordered Washburn to pay $3 million in restitution for the victims of the pool fraud scheme.
Washburn’s wife and coconspirator, Chrystal Washburn, remains in custody at the Indian River County Jail. Chrystal
Washburn’s charges are currently
