The Treasure Coast swimming pool company’s co-owner, found guilty of cheating clients out of millions of dollars, received a 30-year prison sentence.
All 14 charges of fraud against Chrystal Washburn were judged to be true last month. The allegations include one count of money laundering, using a false identity, omitting or concealing facts to avoid paying workers’ compensation premiums, and engaging in an organized plot to commit fraud.
In 2021, Washburn was initially accused by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on charges that she had deceived clients in the counties of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Brevard.
Authorities claim that Washburn, who co-owned Amore Pool, would demand sizable deposits from homeowners for the construction of in-ground swimming pools, but he would never finish the projects.
Washburn requested leniency from the judge during sentence.
“My ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” she added, expressing regret for breaching her agreements with clients.
Isabella Jimenez, Chrystal Washburn’s daughter, said, “Please, give us a little hope for leniency on her sentence as I continue to pray to hopefully hug my mother one day.”
More than 150 Floridians were impacted, according to Ashley Moody of the Attorney General’s Office.
“The defendants took thousands of dollars in upfront payments, then dug holes in customers’ backyards with no intention of ever finishing the work they were paid to complete,” Attorney General Ashley Moody stated in 2021. “This fraudulent pool-contracting scheme harmed dozens of Floridians and violated several state laws. We will make sure these defendants are held accountable for their criminal actions.”
Read Also: Juror Tampering Allegation Rocks Fraud Trial: $120,000 Offered for Acquittal
Brian Washburn, her spouse, was also implicated in the plot. He was found guilty on nine counts of felonies in 2022, including one first-degree count of organized scheme to defraud, two first-degree counts of money laundering exceeding $100,000, and six third-degree counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information.
He received a 30-year prison sentence. In addition, a judge ruled that he must reimburse the victims $3 million. An estimated $2 million was stolen from clients by the pair.
