Florida man that ‘turned many Floridians’ dreams of a backyard paradise into a nightmare’ to get at least 20-year prison sentence
Florida – Olympus Pools owner James Ivan Staten, Jr. 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 result, released by Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, represents a significant triumph against fraudulent business practices in Florida’s home construction industry.
For years, Staten ran Olympus Pools, a Tampa-based business promising to create luxurious backyard pools. Instead of keeping those pledges, Staten took big down payments from homeowners throughout Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Polk counties, only to drop projects midway. Some homeowners were left with nothing except massive backyard holes, empty promises and financial devastation.
“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.
State prosecutors Stephanie Bergen and Panagiota Papakos successfully pursued the case, proving that Staten engaged in an organized scheme to defraud homeowners and contractors alike. He was convicted on 35 counts, including aggravated white-collar crime, grand theft, contractor fraud, and an organized scheme to defraud.
Investigators found that Staten neglected to pay subcontractors working on the job in addition to pocketing homeowners’ payments. As a result, several property owners found themselves in even deeper trouble, with unpaid subcontractors filing liens against their homes. Instead of honoring agreements, Staten allegedly transferred money from Olympus Pools’ corporate accounts straight into his personal account for his own needs.
The case was built with the support of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office Division of Consumer Protection. Additional agencies from Pasco, Polk, and Manatee counties also played a role in bringing Staten to justice.
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This is not the first legal action against Staten. Previously, the Florida Attorney General’s Office pursued a civil case that led to the permanent shutdown of Olympus Pools. As part of that action, Staten was banned for life from operating a pool company in the state.
Staten’s sentencing is set for May 7, and he faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. For the homeowners left in financial and emotional distress, this verdict may offer some sense of justice, though it won’t undo the damage done.
Attorney General Uthmeier vowed to continue cracking down on fraudulent business operators. This should be a warning to anyone looking to exploit hardworking Floridians—your deception will catch up with you.
