Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty In Pool Fraud

The Courier Post Online reports:

• "A swimming pool contractor admitted [last month] that he defrauded customers in four [South New Jersey] counties of approximately $60,000 after they ordered in-ground pools. Ellwood Thomson, 50, of Morrisville, Pa., who also traded as Pool Pros, pleaded guilty in [Burlington County, NJ] Superior Court to seven counts of theft and agreed to a state prison sentence on Nov. 30. [...] The defendant agreed to serve up to six years in prison -- three of which would be mandatory before parole -- and to pay restitution to the victims. [...] Thomson admitted he took deposits and did not install pools for customers ... . The specific charge is theft by failing to make required disposition of property."

Reportedly, the states of Delaware and Pennsylvania have brought similar charges against Thomson and have issued arrest detainers with Burlington County, NJ authorities. Thomson had taken off to Florida around the time of the original ten count, 2005 indictment, and wasn't arrested until early this year. For more, see Contractor guilty in pool fraud.