The co-owner of a swimming pool company on the Treasure Coast who was convicted of defrauding customers out of millions is expected to be sentenced Tuesday.
Chrystal Washburn was found guilty last month on all 14 counts of fraud against her. The charges include one count of being guilty of an organized scheme to defraud, fraudulent use of personal identification, money laundering, and omitting or concealing information to avoid workers’ compensation premium.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement first charged Washburn back in 2021, claiming she defrauded customers in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Brevard counties.
Officials say Washburn, who co-owned Amore Pool, would take large deposits of approximately 25% from homeowners to build in-ground swimming pools but would never complete the projects.
Her husband, Brian Washburn, was also charged in the scheme. He was convicted in 2022 of nine felony counts including one count of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony; two counts of money laundering of more than $100,000, both first-degree felonies; and six counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information, a third-degree felony
He was sentenced to 30 years in prison. A judge also ordered him to pay $3 million in restitution to victims. The couple took an estimated $2 million from customers.
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Source: cbs12
