logo
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Contact
    • News
    • Classifieds
    • Free Subscription
    • Book Store
    • Submit
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Submit an Educational Announcement
      • Submit a letter to The Editor
    • Past Issues
    • Regional Trade Shows
    • Contact
News
July 27, 2023
Rounding up bad pool contractors

From Massachusetts to Florida, bad actor swimming pool contractors are damaging the reputation of the pool and spa industry.

Since the onset of summer, at least five contractors have been arrested, charged with scamming their customers out of thousands of dollars. Most were arrested mid-June.

Rick McDermott, Aqua Blue Pools, Roswell, Georgia, said his business simply couldn’t survive the pandemic and had declared bankruptcy prior to his June arrest. “It just got crazy there with the economy, with COVID, shortages, price demands,” McDermott explained in a text to customers. “To be honest, what happened to me is I couldn't adjust my pricing fast enough to make up for the increases.”

He was arrested on June 14, charged with conversion of payments for real property improvements. His company, Aqua Blue Pools, has been in the news for not completing pool projects.

A Facebook page has been set up for the victims of Aqua Blue to stay up to date on his proceedings. At least five families say they have lost a total of about $300,000.

David Greiner, owner of Platinum Pools and Spas LLC in Largo, Florida, was arrested on June 15 and booked into the Pinellas County Jail with a bond set at $57,000. Greiner, 39, faces six counts of grand theft and three counts of money received by a contractor, records show.

After launching their six-monthlong investigation, detectives learned that nine complaints were linked to Platinum Pools and Spas and Greiner. Customers said they paid Greiner for new swimming pools, but no work was performed.

The sheriff's office said, in total, the customers lost $311,329. Detectives spoke with Greiner about his customers’ complaints during his arrest and said “Greiner refused to take ownership or admit any wrongdoing. Greiner blamed the victims for being ‘difficult and conspiring against him,’” according to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office statement.

Douglas Carney, 56, owner of Carney Pools in Topeka, Kansas, was arrested on June 16 on a Jackson County District Court warrant. According to a press release, the warrant was issued following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff ’s Office for two felony counts of theft by deception and one count of deceptive commercial practices. A Jackson County resident reported that, through a series of contracts, Carney allegedly agreed to complete the construction of a swimming pool at their property. Carney never completed any of the work, and he allegedly discontinued his communication with the victim after taking their money.

Michael Nanay, of Mad Pools, Lake County, Indiana, was also arrested in mid-June and charged with five felonies, including theft and home improvement fraud. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department said it is investigating 15 cases linked to the contractor and believe more victims could be out there.

Nanay pleaded not guilty to the charges and told reporters that he was trying to finish the pools and work with people as best he can. According to ABC7 Eyewitness News, “he said he had a stroke last year, which left him partially blind, and said his employees took off while he was in the hospital.”

Steve Docchio, owner of Xtreme Living Pools and Construction Plymouth, Massachusetts, is the most recent case, arrested on July 18. Charges against him include larceny, home improvement contractor violations, tax evasion, money laundering, and pandemic unemployment fraud. The indictment estimates the amount of stolen money at $500,000. Docchio was made infamous after a New England NBC affiliate decided to put him at the center of their investigation and featured him in their docu-series, “To Catch a Contractor.” At his July arraignment, he pled not guilty to the charges, and after growing frustrated at having to remain silent in court, fired his public defender before launching his criticism at the NBC coverage that he said led to his troubles.

'This is all brought up on lies and allegations by Mr. Media,' Docchio said. “This prosecutor, all his storytelling, is just an opera. He's got a lot of proving to do. No money was taken.”

LATEST NEWS
MLB team boasts stadium swimming pool
News
MLB team boasts stadium swimming pool
Winning team swims — AZ Diamondbacks motivated to keep opposition out of their pool
November 29, 2023
There was a rumor floating around Major League Baseball that if the Philadelphia Phillies had clinched the National League Pennant at Chase Field — th...
this is a test
News
Ho Ho Ho — Trade show season here we go
November 29, 2023
As winter’s official onset looms just around the corner, snow has already blanketed various regions across the country. With the swim season now behin...
this is a test
News
CO poisoning sends 4 to hospital
November 29, 2023
Four people were hospitalized following carbon monoxide exposure at a Minnesota hotel. The fire department was called to the Rochester La Quinta Inn a...
this is a test
News
U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan
November 29, 2023
In response to a call to action on drowning prevention put forth by the World Health Organization, Water Safety USA has developed a U.S. National Wate...
this is a test
News
PHTA offers members class passes
November 29, 2023
Training your staff is vital, but it can be costly and time-consuming. Now, the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance is delivering a new, complimentary member be...
this is a test
John Lennon’s ‘Psychedelic Eye’ auctioned
News
John Lennon’s ‘Psychedelic Eye’ auctioned
November 29, 2023
A mosaic tile “Psychedelic Eye,” once located on the bottom of Beatle John Lennon’s swimming pool, was auctioned on November 29. The mosaic, commissio...
this is a test
Read Our Newsletter
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Free Subscription
View Current Print Ads
Educational Announcements
Aquatic Training Institute

Educational Leverage

Foundation For Pool Industry Education

Locey Pool

Pool Chemistry Training Institute

Pool & Hot Tub Alliance

Portofino University

Underwater Pool Masters
Trade Show Dates
  • The International Pool Spa Patio Expo
    Nov. 15-17, Las Vegas, Nevada
  • The Pool and Spa Show
    Jan. 24-26, Atlantic City, New Jersey
  • 34th Annual National Plasterers Conference
    Feb. 8-10, Coronado, California
  • The Southwest Pool and Spa Show
    Feb. 9-11, Houston, Texas
  • The Western Pool and Spa Show
    Mar. 23-25, Long Beach, California
Books to Order
About Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy
We use cookies to ensure that our website gives you the best experience possible. By continuing to use this website, you agree to this use of cookies.OK