Based on Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s suit alleging multiple violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, a Hidalgo County district court froze assets and entered a temporary injunction against RGV Flamingo Pools International LTD, Pool Sharks LLC and owner Dennis Gomez on Sept. 5.
Abbott’s suit alleges that the defendants routinely mislead South Texas clients by accepting payment for swimming pool construction and failing to complete the work. It also alleges that Gomez used unlicensed electric and plumbing contractors. Additionally, Gomez allegedly made false claims and improperly used customer payments for personal expenditures.
Claims by some consumers include allegedly paying for work that was never finished, having to hire another contractor to complete projects and Gomez’s workers digging large holes and not returning to the home for months, creating safety and health risks. Some customers report paying for up to half the total cost of construction, and one customer allegedly paid more than $78,500 for a pool that was never finished.
The state is seeking restitution for customers who were allegedly financially harmed by unlawful conduct, and it is also seeking a permanent injunction and civil penalties of up to $20,000 for each Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act violation.