FLORIDA — Olympus Pools, a Tampa-based pool company, has been permanently shuttered, and its owner now is personally banned for life from operating a pool company in Florida, Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced.
According to Moody, her Consumer Protection Division took legal action against James Staten, Jr., owner of Olympus Pools, for failing to complete residential swimming pools for Florida consumers. The company is now permanently enjoined from conducting business, and Staten is banned from ever operating a pool company in the state.
“We are in the thick of summer when many Floridians want to enjoy their pools with friends and family, including many Florida consumers who fell victim to this owner’s greed and were left with holes in their backyard,” said Moody.
“My Consumer Protection Division shut down this company and secured a lifetime ban for this owner to ensure he will not operate any pool business in Florida ever again.”
Olympus misrepresented the timeline of projects, accepted upfront payments, and then left jobs incomplete, Moody said. The company admits violating Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Moody said Staten cannot pay restitution for harmed consumers and filed personal bankruptcy.
Staten relinquished two construction licenses due to administrative actions by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Consumers have filed claims with DBPR through the Florida Homeowners Construction Recovery Fund. Staten agreed to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division having a million-dollar allowed claim in the bankruptcy case, subject to court approval.
The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution continues to work with law enforcement in a criminal investigation.
