PORT ST. LUCIE − Pro Pool Builders began doing enterprise in early 2021 through the COVID pandemic, because the pool building business boomed and there have been “vital delays as a result of an abundance of consumers wanting swimming pools,” information present.
When different, long-established pool firms on the Treasure Coast estimated one to 2 years to finish builds, Pro Pool, with an workplace in Stuart, marketed completion inside 90 days of getting permits.
By the point Pro Pool folded in 2022, solely three jobs had been accomplished, whereas there have been 56 contracts with unfinished swimming pools and 48 through which floor wasn’t damaged.
These had been amongst particulars in court docket information supporting the arrest of George Galiszewski, 59, of Port St. Lucie, recognized by investigators because the Pro Pool proprietor. Performing Port St. Lucie Police Assistant Chief Leo Niemczyk final week described him as a “con man.”
Galiszewski was booked in at the St. Lucie County jail Oct. 17, on fees together with cash laundering $100,00 or extra; racketeering; misapplication of building funds greater than $100,000; first-degree grand theft-pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct; and aggravated white collar crime.
Jail information present an extra fail to acquire employees compensation protection cost.
Most victims — 64 — had been in Port St. Lucie; 29 had been in unincorporated Martin County; six in unincorporated St. Lucie County; 4 in unincorporated Indian River County; and one in Stuart, police have stated.
“Pro Pool Builders blamed the failure of the enterprise on delays from sub-contractors, provide value will increase and a failed enterprise journey in a gunite firm,” information state.
Tons of of victims skilled losses totaling lots of of 1000’s of {dollars} as a result of Galiszewsi skirted guidelines set forth by the Division of Enterprise and Skilled Regulation to function a enterprise, information state. He’s accused of placing cash into private accounts and never paying subcontractors and others.
Police said Galiszewsi couldn’t function the enterprise per DBPR necessities as a result of he’s a convicted felon and has a poor credit score rating. He received his fiancée “to be on the enterprise information because the registered agent and the financially accountable get together,” in response to information, but she lacked a pool building background and didn’t play a task in working Pro Pool.
Galiszewski enlisted a 3rd particular person with an authorized pool building license, which might enable Galiszewski to assemble swimming pools, police wrote.
The pool building license holder advised investigators they started experiencing cash issues round November 2021. He stated he spoke with Galiszewski and a lady recognized because the workplace supervisor in January 2022 “in regard to not taking up any extra jobs.”
The pool building license holder stated the preliminary marketing strategy was three to 4 swimming pools a month.
“Then all the sudden there have been extra permits than anybody within the space might construct,” he’s quoted as saying in information. “So, we took the roles. We most likely shouldn’t have. However we took them.”
Galiszewski described the pool building license holder as “a drunk loser who lived at dwelling along with his mother and father.”
When a detective requested Galiszewski what occurred to Pro Pool, he pointed to “a enterprise settlement with someone who stole over half 1,000,000 {dollars} from us, and we simply ran out of cash,” information state.
Galiszewski stated he arrange one other entity “to pay for unlawful day laborers.”
A Pro Pool gross sales employee advised police she stop after noticing “pink flags,” whereas one other gross sales employee stated, “Issues I came upon alongside the best way brought on me to go away.”
Niemczyk has stated Galiszewski funded a lavish way of life, touring to Costa Rica and visiting the most costly eating places on the Treasure Coast. He additionally spent a number of the cash on relationship websites and fishing gear, Niemczyk stated.
Police questioned numerous fees, together with live performance tickets, inns, wine and liquor, medical marijuana and cologne.
Police stated he spent $5,800 of Pro Pool prospects’ cash on a sport referred to as “Golf Conflict” within the Googe Playstore.
Police Wednesday stated the investigation continues.
Galiszewski was held Wednesday within the St. Lucie County jail on greater than $2.5 million bond, information state.
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Will Greenlee is a breaking information reporter for TCPalm. Observe Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or attain him by telephone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at [email protected].
This text initially appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Records detail Pro Pool Builders case; police said hundreds victimized
