Florida Attorney General Files Civil Fraud Lawsuit Against Criminally-Charged Pool Company Owner—Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Case
According to a report from ABC 12 News, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed a civil fraud lawsuit against the owner of a now-defunct swimming pool company. That pool owner—George Galiszewski Jr. of Port St. Lucie—is already facing serious criminal charges. Mr. Galiszewski Jr. stands accused of defrauding more than 100 customers at out approximately $2.5 million. Here, our West Palm Beach FDUTPA lawyer discusses the case in more detail.
Florida Attorney General: Pool Company Owner Took Funds for Pools Never Built
The Florida Attorney General is suing St. Lucie County’s Pro Pool Builders and its owner, George Galiszewski Jr., for defrauding 104 customers of over $2.5 million. The lawsuit—which was brought as part of a larger joint criminal and civil effort called Operation Ripple Effect—also names employees Karen Edgington, Warren Sigman Jr., and Tiffany Moore as civil defendants. Despite taking funds from 104 different customers, Pro Pool Builders only completed three pools over a 14 month period. In April of 2022, the company completely stopped operations without refunds. A second company called Lifestyle Pools was also named as a defendant in the legal complaint.
Note: There is a corresponding criminal case already underway. The Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD) has confirmed that Mr. Galiszewski Jr. was arrested and faces at least six separate felony criminal charges in court, including a RICO (racketeering) charge.
Civil Complaint Filed Under Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act
The civil lawsuit against Pro Pool Builders and its associates is filed under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA). The FDUTPA is a state law designed to protect consumers and legitimate businesses from unfair methods of competition, including deceptive and unfair acts.
The law applies to a broad range of commercial misconduct, including false advertising, fraudulent business practices, and unconscionable acts that mislead consumers or affect their purchasing decisions. By filing an FDUTPA, the Florida Attorney is acknowledging the severity of the alleged deceit and financial harm inflicted upon consumers by Pro Pool Builders.
This legal action seeks to hold the defendants accountable for each violation under FDUTPA. Each offense under this act carries the potential for significant penalties. The filing under FDUTPA not only aims at securing financial redress for the defrauded customers but also seeking injunctive relief to prevent Pro Pool Builders and its owner/employees from engaging in any other misconduct.
Call Our West Palm Beach FDUTPA Lawyers Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach business and consumer fraud attorneys take on the full spectrum of FDUTPA claims. If you have any questions about an FDUTPA case, our legal team is here as a resource. Contact us today to set up your confidential consultation. With a law office in West Palm Beach, we handle FDUTPA cases all around Southeast Florida, including in Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter.
Source:
cbs12.com/news/local/george-galiszewski-owner-pool-company-ag-ashley-moody-lawsuit-against-pro-pool-builders-employees-karen-teresa-edgington-warren-robert-sigman-jr-tiffany-moore-florida12-07-2023
