Florida pool installer accused of not installing pools, defrauding homeowners

FLORIDA – The owner of a company that installs residential swimming pools is accused of defrauding homeowners, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has announced.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Tracy Matthew McClain, 42, of Altha, was arrested for a scheme to defraud homeowners by allegedly taking large deposits to install in-ground residential swimming pools but never completing the installation, the FDLE said.

McClain is the owner of Blue Water Pools, according to the FDLE’s statement.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office assisted in this case.

“More than a dozen victims faithfully saved to afford a swimming pool, some paying as much as 90 percent of the overall cost. But McClain failed to fulfill a single installation,” said FDLE Tallahassee Special Agent in Charge Mark Perez.

“I thank our FDLE agents and deputies at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this investigation to stop this fraud.”

“We appreciate the assistance of our state partners to bring people to justice like McClain, who knowingly victimize trusting citizens of Franklin County,” said Franklin County Sheriff A.J. “Tony” Smith.

The case reportedly began in June 2021 to assist Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and became an FDLE investigation when victims were identified in multiple jurisdictions, the FDLE said.

In total, McClain is alleged to have accepted nearly $400,000 across 13 separate contracts with 23 individuals who allegedly suffered financial loss through dealings with McClain, the FDLE said.

Victims were identified in Franklin, Leon, and Gulf counties, according to the FDLE.

McClain was arrested in September by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and agents say there could be additional victims in Franklin and Gulf counties.

If you have information about this case or believe you may have been a victim, please contact FDLE Tallahassee at 800-342-0820.