Carlos Hernan Longo and his wife Romina Campanella De Longo, who together have owned Crystal Clear Pool of Central Florida since 2010, were arrested today and each charged on 11 counts of fraud and a count of organized scheme to defraud, a first-degree felony. They are being held at the Flagler County jail, each on $320,000 bond.
The list of their alleged victims is long, the names including some prominent members of the Palm Coast community. Crystal Clear Pool was also at the center of allegations against former Palm Coast Building Inspector Charlie Mini, who resigned his long-time government job with the city in the fall of 2018. An internal investigation found he’d manipulated inspection reports and particularly favoring Crystal Clear Pools.
The charging affidavits against the Longos list 12 individuals or couples with whom they’d contracted from September 2017 through February 2019 to build in-ground pools. The contracted work was allegedly not completed, defrauding the 12 parties of a combined $456,000.
“In each of the 12 cases,” the investigative report states, “Carlos Hernan Longo failed to complete each job, asked for more money and left each victim with a hole in the ground that could not be used as a pool without the intervention of another hired licensed Contractor or in a couple reported case did not completely finish the job to include installing the salt system, final grades, and calling in final inspections to close out the permit. Each victim has since had to pay to have a separate licensed Contractor complete the existing shell” that Crystal Pool started.
“Crystal Clear Pools took advantage of customers who trusted them to perform as promised per their specific agreements but they took their customers’ money and ran – leaving them high and dry,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s detective John Castanheira opened his investigation in June 2019, jointly with the State Attorney’s Office. His arrest affidavit lists some details for each of the 12 parties allegedly defrauded.
One case involves a Palm Coast Fire Department firefighter who’d contracted with Crystal Pool in 2018 for a $51,000 pool at his B-Section home, financed with a home equity loan. The Longos were paid nearly $39,000 (the homeowner and the Longos agreed to subtract the balance when the homeowner opted to build a screen enclosure separately). But the work on the pool was never done, and eventually had to be completed by a different contractor.
A couple contracted with Crystal Pool for a $46,500 pool in the Hammock in February 2015. The homeowners made one installment payment of $21,250. But the work never started. The homeowners contacted the county’s building department and found out the Longos had never applied for a permit on the project. They contacted the Longos for a refund. The Longos told them they didn’t have the money to refund them. The homeowners contacted the Sheriff’s Office’s Seniors vs. Crimes, which intervened and helped broker an agreement for a full refund. The Longos made only a partial refund, however, of $12,000. A certified letter to the business returned undelivered.
Another owner, Harry Russo, provided FlaglerLive with a four-page chronology of the ordeal that followed signing a $57,600 contract with Crystal Clear Pools in November 2010, with a “lifetime warranty on the pool shell.” Russo was required to pay a 50 percent deposit, which he did in three installments. Work began just before that Christmas. In January, Russo is told that the foundation on the house was sinking and had to be reinforced. A nearly $5,000 check was cut, but the work was not done. Another payment followed in January. By then, Longo was not communicating much, and was not paying other contractors hired for the job. That spring, work that had been ongoing fails inspections. Romina Longo in April 2019 tells Russo her husband was no longer with the company, and Russo stops hearing from him. Other problems develop. By May, Russo has spoken with other homeowners who’ve had similar issues with Crystal Clear Pools. He fires the contractor and alleges contract fraud in a statement to the Sheriff’s Office. By June 1, Larizza calls him to tell him of an active investigation.
The cases all resemble each other, with a signed contract followed by installment or full payments followed by work that either did not start or was never completed, along with difficulties contacting the Longos.
“Romina and Carlos used their registered pool business, Crystal Clear Pool Cleaning of Central Florida, Inc., aka Crystal Clear Pools, Inc.,” the report states, “to defraud customers of their money. The business address was listed at their home address, 14 Fifer Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137.”
The Longos would complete written contracts, ultimately with large deposits being made payable to either Crystal Clear Pools or to Carlos Longo himself, the report states. “Numerous jobs incurred liens being placed on the property by the Concrete Gunite Company. In some cases, the clients had to pay these liens personally so their properties would not be auctioned. In all the cases except one, the clients paid Crystal Clear Pools almost the entire contract price with only half the pool being completed. One case a permit was never applied for and the funds were not available to be refunded as they were most likely spent on other projects or personal use.”
The investigation scoured the records of numerous bank accounts the Longos held.
“The business continued selling pools knowing the financial hardship they were incurring. They knew they did not have the ability to complete the pools for the customers,” the investigation found. “They were using deposits from other customers to apply towards other pools already started.”
Romina Longo told the detective she was responsible for the finances of the business. She said she knew the business was struggling, in part because her husband was in a car crash and couldn’t work. She said she tried to catch up with bills by selling her own house and taking out loans, but it all became too overwhelming. Carlos Longo did not submit to an interview, the detective reported.
The arrest warrants were served at the Longos’ home this morning at 7 a.m.
“These cases are intricate and take a long time to build but Detective Castanheira the State Attorney’s Office
investigator did a great job building this case,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “This is also a good reminder to always check-out contractors with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Better Business Bureau before signing contracts.”
FlaglerLive relies on a strong core of donors. But they’re just a fraction of the 25,000 readers who daily depend on FlaglerLive for reliable, fearless reporting and analysis you cannot get anywhere else. If you’re still on the sidelines, we need you to join the Friends of FlaglerLive today. Elections, storms, the latest catastrophe - when dependable and factual local reporting will be more essential than ever, take a stand for integrity and have a direct voice in fostering serious journalism in your community. As little as $10 makes a difference, or better still, become a monthly donor: Become a "Friend of" FlaglerLive, a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donations are tax deductible. Think of it as buying a "scoop", in every sense of the term!
Reader Interactions
Comments
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
JOHN BUTLER says
People knew about this guy 4 yrs ago nothing was done what a joke hes owed people I know for labor for many jobs hope the scumbag gets his azz locked up for life
Vijay says
I agree…
All of us are too trusting…
Hernan demanded a large down payment upfront causing many of us sleepless nights…
He robbed us too…
The only difference we were lucky to find a very ethical contractor took over the job from Luis..
He sells his innocence by projecting how much he believes in God maybe he should light some more candles right now!!!
Justice is slow but time is longer than rope!!!!!
Vijay says
*
Correction
We were lucky to find a very ethical contractor LUIS who took over the job from HERNAN
Roy Longo says
Um….no relation.
jim says
i got screwed in 04″ byRobert McNamara of McNamra pools..lucky for me FCSO got my money back and. POS Mc went to jail.
amazed says
14 Fifer Lane, Palm Coast, FL 32137? … according to Zillow.com that is a vacant lot. good scammers, they should lock them up and fine them big.
Willy Boy says
Voter registration has him at 56 Freneau Ln. Sold 9/23/18 for $239,900. Prior to that Voter Reg, had him living at 181 Bridgehaven Dr., but was not the owner. Amaral Custom Homes is listed as the primary owner of 14 Fifer Lane. The Longos currently are guest of FCSO, unless they had 64K for a bondsman.
CB from PC says
Florida is filled with crooked “licensed” contractors. This area just has a higher concentration.
How many times do consumer affairs news broadcasts state…”DO NOT PAY CONTRACTORS IN ADVANCE FOR WORK NOT DONE”?
Matt says
Some businesses require a materials deposit for jobs. I been burned by three flagler home owners who argued your mindset then refused to pay for jobs after completion. To be more precise you should be more studious about who you hire. Do research, look into business reviews, look into previous clients. I mean if I’m dumping 60k into a job I want to see what the reputation is. He’ll I do house painting and include before and after pics of every job on my business page.
SRod says
We were also defrauded by them. We paid in full for a grotto & pool. The pool was completed with some cracks. The grotto was never finished. Who do we contact to add our name to the list?
Nenemalo says
It’s about time these unscrupulous con artist fake companies are held accountable. Leave them penniless liquidating everything they have amassed and minimum ten years of of jailtime. Subcontractors liens need to be dismissed as they too know who they are working with and are in cahoots with the dirty scoundrels to further ripoff the property owners. Yes, they work together in most cases. Subcontractors know what companies they are dealing with and know each other well enough to know they will be screwing the home owners. The lien business is ridiculous and needs to be revised to protect the home owners and instead the liens should be enforceable on the general contractors businesses.
Hopper says
When I moved down here in 1987 there was only one Pool company in Palm Coast. I got a job with “him” and another laborer. Built 67 pools in this area and down in Ormond beach too. It was always the owner who would promise customers the moon but never deliver. I quickly learned to build pools myself. Took state test, got contractors license and built 5 pools. Then I STOPPED building for the simple reason more “illegal contractors” where promising customers pools for cheaper cost……. Total cost for materials to build a 20 x 12 pool with waterfall…..$7, 899……. Labor is about 30 days with 2 men working 5 days a week…… $10,000.
Don’t let them fool you into believing it cost anymore then $20,000 !!!!!
Alex says
You are on drugs if you think you can get even a “decent” pool for $20,000 today
really says
So not making enough legit you have to steal from people . Its not just their money you take. The worst of the worst. Provided all the Counts stick or some are added going to be some quiet time for the both of ya. Good riddance
Liz says
Good glad to hear cause scammers for sure. Had them clean our pool back three years ago. We live out of state and came down to our home only to find out for three months they were cleaning the wrong pool. Purchased a pool heater and nothing but a nightmare since they recommended a heater, they installed it only to find out that heater was too small to serve the size of our pool. They took that heater and replaced with a bigger size only to owe them more money plus they hooked up the electrical wrong. Heater kept tripping from overheating and had to pay an electrical contractor to correct their mess up.
Born and raised here says
As a homeowner you have a right to have a Notice to Owner filed in court records. This notice is your protection of any liens, bank draws, on unpaid supplies not paid by a Contractor or Sub contractors on your property.
Not a fan of hernan says
This guy scammed my Mother in Law for years. Rot! Every dog has their day
DAM says
Interesting how a major contractor took over 40+ residents here for jobs that were never completed. It never made it into the paper. All the permits were filed for the same particulars which is impossible. This provides a workaround for less fees etc on the part of the contractor. Said contractor shows homeowner paid receipts then doesn’t meet obligations . We fought for two changes;
1) when the permit is on our homes we need information stating about the lien process and liability should they not pay any subs we bear the lien on our property. Ps we tried to fight city hall and weren’t even entertained by the judicial system to explain the fraud and unexplained circumstances.
2) Definitely the building department in conjunction with business permits needs to vet these owners and ascertain viability. The law must keep the homeowner safe and harmless from lines incurred by the contractor for non payment to sub contractors.
We have met our contractual binding agreement as we have not signed with the subcontractors. Our commitment is with the contractor of record who takes sole responsibility for project management as well as fiduciary responsibility for costs to all expenses incurred in bringing the project to completion in accordance to Florida statute and homeowner complete satisfaction.
As homeowners we are totally unprotected as residents and taxpayers; from a local perspective it needs to be addressed for contractor reliability and business practices. From a state perspective we need to have the law change to reflect the burden to contractors; only then will the mindset change when their property is in jeopardy. As it sits today there is no risk only reward for the businessman.
D
KbSays says
I’m sorry that this happened to so many innocent people. I know what it feels like to be defrauded by a contractor. It’s time that these folks pay the consequences for their actions. Way too often do people think they can get away with the crap they do to others.
Richard Russell says
Thanks RJ, the public can count on you as the prosecutor in this district.
MAT says
Clearly they don’t have the money to repay. The good news is: there will always be trash to be picked up, and spillways be cleared. Look for the guy to show up with the Harvey Weinstein walker.
Chris says
We had the same type of issues. Luckily, we were able to be done with them in April of 2018. I think the only reason we weren’t taken advantage of is that we live in Saint Johns County, and we had a reputable inspector. There were several occasions when the inspector would NOT sign off on things. One person that I did not see listed was their other counterpart, Jorge Bertola. We dealt with him the most. Hard to reach, lies, more lies, and chaos. I purchased security cameras to watch all of the people that came and went from my home. Luckily I had a schedule that allowed only a short period from when my spouse came home from work. It was a daily hassle to get them out here to do the work that we paid for. We signed the contract in 09/2017, and we had water by 04/2018. As I am reading these stories, I am now concerned about the possibility of a mechanics lien, and I don’t even know where to start on that one. My story is not as bad as most of you above me, and for that, I am sorry. You work so hard for something just to have it stripped from you. So far, we’ve been OK with the finished product, and I can also tell you that everything that I feared could go wrong did. If Flagler Live needs me, please feel free to let me know.
Concerned Citizen says
Glad they caught up to them. Not only did they defraud their customers they damaged their professions reputation.
Also. Charlie Mini should be investigated by the FCSO and charged as a co-conspirator. “Manipulating reports” is just a nice way of saying he lied. And falsified information. That’s accessory to the fact. I’m tired of seeing public officials “allowed to resign” in order to avoid responsibility. You and I aren’t afforded that luxry. And they hold greater responsibility.
Maybe we should start a petition demanding an investigation on Mini. That way Palm Coast doesn’t let another one fall thru the cracks.
Palm Coast Citizen-Victim says
Agreed! Hernan Longo, no doubt, should be charged with ‘bribing a public official’. Charlie Mini should be charged with accepting bribes and falsifying reports.
Pope says
Are these clowns also building the roundabout (nobody wanted) at Matanzas? That’s apparently (according to the city) going to sit unfinished too.
dpound says
Tried to ban them from Plantation Bay after numerous complaints, out Access Control Supervisor, a fired Sheriff’s Officer, wouldn’t allow it. He flat out stated Margie Hall (HOA Manager) and Ali Kargar (Plantation Bay King) used their services, and if people got screwed it was on them for not reading the fine print.
Retired says
Don’t forget about the crooked building inspector who he had in his back Pocket that passed his shotty work.
Palm Coast Citizen-Victim says
We hired that criminal Hernan Longo & his co-conspirator wife Romina in Oct, 2018, when we first moved down here. Hernan promised me a completed pool & lanai by xmas of that year!……………..but he said he needed 1/2 of the total price paid up front first ($33,000). I asked why and he said he “knows people high up in city hall”, also that he has to pay his sub-contractors right away to get the pool done within less than 3 months. Foolishly I agreed and paid him. Finally in Dec. he dug a hole! After that month I called daily and weekly for almost a year asking for work to be done — from time to time they would send laborers to spend a day or so doing things. The workers spoke little or no English so when they left I didn’t know when they’d be back so I had to keep calling. Romina eventually told me in the spring of 2019 that Hernan was no longer involved and that she was in charge. They eventually “abandoned” the project in the summer of 2019 leaving it less than 1/2 completed, but after scamming me out of the entire pool price by asking me to partially advance their sub-contractors promising to take the payments off the final contract price each time. They never paid their subs the balances, one of whom put a lien on my home. I also had to pay the lanai guy for all his work as he was going to lien me if I didn’t. I ended up hiring another company paying them $29,000 to finish the pool project (which included re-doing and repairing the damage caused by the Longos,……….this was after I paid the Longos their full contract price of $67,000. Both of them must remain in jail for many years. Additionally, the time has come for the authorities to address and prosecute the obvious corruption between Hernan Longo and Charles Mini, the former resigned chief building inspector.
BedBug says
Well Romina got on bail yesterday.
Marcy says
I hope both of them spend long time in jail.
Dyana matallana says
I also did a contract with him in May 25th, 2017. He gave me a 10 year warranty and the Florida gem stucco material is coming off my pool. My pool is almost without that material. If someone knows how to do a claim about him or a number that I can contact please reply to this message thank you!