TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured an 18-year prison sentence for Ricardo Villarroel Duerto, the owner of a pool company found guilty of defrauding nearly 100 Florida homeowners. Villarroel, who operated Villa Pavers and Pools, was sentenced by Judge William S. Orth on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
"Building a pool is an expensive undertaking and some families may save for years to build their dream pool. This shady contractor took advantage of nearly 100 Florida homeowners, including seniors, trying to buy a pool—causing more than $1 million in losses. Thanks to our Statewide Prosecutors, this contractor will serve a lengthy prison sentence for ripping off Floridians," said Attorney General Ashley Moody.
The fraudulent activities spanned several counties including Broward, Collier, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lake, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas and Seminole. Villarroel lured customers with promises of low-cost pools but failed to deliver after collecting substantial deposits.
State law enforcement officials reported that Villa Pavers and Pools collected around 40% of the contracted price from victims but did not complete the installations. In some cases, projects resulted in large holes left in backyards; in others, work never commenced after Villarroel received the deposit and ceased communication.
The investigation revealed that licensed general contractor Luis Alvarez of Conquer Builders collaborated with Villarroel by selling his contractor license to Villa Pavers and Pools. This allowed the unlicensed company to present a valid license to homeowners and obtain building permits fraudulently.
Villarroel also employed two salespeople—Michael Borrego Fernandez and Laura Ballester Alpizar—to expand the scheme further. Alvarez has pled guilty to both charges but awaits sentencing; Borrego and Ballester are currently out on bond.
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Rebecca Smith-Hameroff led the prosecution in this case.