James Ivan Staten, Jr., the owner of Olympus Pools, has been found guilty of defrauding Floridians of more than $1.5 million, leaving many families with torn-up yards and unfinished pools. The guilty verdict, announced by Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, is a significant victory against deceptive business practices in Florida’s house construction industry.
Staten owned and operated Olympus Pools, a Tampa-based company that promised to provide beautiful backyard pools. Instead of upholding their promises, Staten accepted large down payments from homeowners in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Polk counties, only to abandon projects in the middle. Some homeowners were left with nothing but giant backyard holes, empty promises, and financial ruin.
“I’m proud to announce that Prosecutors Stephanie Bergen and Panagiota Papakos secured a guilty conviction for this fraudster who turned many Floridians’ dreams of a backyard paradise into a nightmare, taking their money and digging holes to nowhere,” said Attorney General Uthmeier.
“Little did this fraudster know, he’d be digging himself into a 20-year minimum prison sentence,” AG Uthmeier added.
Stephanie Bergen and Panagiota Papakos, state prosecutors, successfully pursued the case, demonstrating that Staten engaged in an orchestrated conspiracy to swindle both homeowners and contractors. He was found guilty of 35 charges, including severe white-collar crime, grand theft, contractor fraud, and an organized plot to deceive.
Investigators discovered that Staten failed to pay subcontractors working on the project while pocketing homeowner money. As a result, numerous property owners found themselves in even more trouble, with underpaid subcontractors filing liens against their properties. Instead of complying with agreements, Staten allegedly transferred funds from Olympus Pools’ business accounts directly into his personal account for personal use.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office Division of Consumer Protection all contributed to the case’s development. Pasco, Polk, and Manatee counties’ authorities also helped bring Staten to justice.
This isn’t Staten’s first legal challenge. Previously, the Florida Attorney General’s Office pursued a civil complaint, resulting in Olympus Pools’ permanent closure. As part of the case, Staten was barred from running a pool firm in the state for the rest of his life.
Staten will be sentenced on May 7, with a mandated minimum of 20 years in jail. This verdict may provide some feeling of justice to the homeowners who are in financial and emotional distress, but it will not reverse the damage.
Attorney General Uthmeier vowed to keep cracking down on dishonest business owners. The announcement should serve as a caution to anyone attempting to take advantage of hardworking Floridians: dishonesty will catch up with you.
