Couple Arrested in Arizona for $2M Brevard County Pool Scheme to Defraud
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard Sheriff // January 22, 2025
Contractor's Lies Spark Scheme Targeting Brevard County Pool Customers
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The only legacy that the owners of Legacy Pools will leave behind is that of being a criminal as yesterday the owners, Charles and Kristin Black, were arrested in Maricopa County, Arizona, after our Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit obtained arrest warrants on them for Scheming to Defraud.
This in-depth investigation began way back in 2021 when our Economic Crimes Unit was contacted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding multiple complaints against Legacy Pools for fraudulent business practices.
The fraud actually began when Charles Black lied about his criminal history on his application for obtaining his contractor license and went from there as the Black’s began using the company bank account as their personal bank account, spending approximately $2,000,000 on traveling, gym memberships, car rentals, parties, and other items.
That’s right, I said over $2,000,000 is what our Agents believe they defrauded from honest citizens in Brevard County who trusted them to build a swimming pool.
Meanwhile, their business was going under as they were unable to complete pool projects, pay employees or subcontractors, and yet they continued to sign new business contracts despite knowing they would not be able to complete them.
The Black’s victimized over 300 people in Brevard, Osceola and Orange Counties while continuing to benefit from defrauding customers.
Simply put, they are thugs with a checkbook that were cashing checks on victim’s money who they lied to and defrauded.
Ultimately both Charles and Kristin Black are being held in Maricopa County pending extradition back to Brevard on charges of Organized Scheme to Defraud – Over $50,000, Organized Scheme To Defraud – $20,000 to $50,000, and 5 counts of Unlawful Filing of False Documents or Records Against Real Property.
I want to thank our Agents from the Economics Crime Unit on another incredible case as this was presented to the Statewide Prosecutor’s Office due to the victim’s being in several counties.
Nothing makes me more mad than people who take advantage of others for their own benefit.
So now the Black’s can enjoy the long van ride from Arizona to Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge where the accommodations will be nothing like they’ve ever experienced before.
Just like all the people they defrauded, we don’t have a pool and we don’t have the luxuries they are accustomed to!! What we do have though is a communal shower and one star dining that is still too good for them.
Enjoy your stay at the Lodge and in advance, we apologize for the lack of amenities.
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
