OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma lawmaker has launched laws following a number of FOX23 investigations into complaints a couple of Tulsa-area pool firm accused of leaving projects unfinished and householders out hundreds of {dollars}.
FOX23 investigative reporter Janna Clark has reported for months on prospects in Green Country who say they paid Midwest Pools, owned by Jeff Johnson, for swimming swimming pools that have been by no means accomplished.
Several householders shared pictures of partially constructed swimming pools and enormous holes left of their yards. In some instances, they mentioned little work was finished regardless of paying tens of hundreds of {dollars}.
Tammy Schreiber of Coweta mentioned Midwest Pools marked her yard with paint and stakes, however by no means started building. She mentioned she has paid practically $30,000.
“It’s not a good feeling at all,” Schreiber mentioned. “I feel ashamed that I was sucked into something like this.”
In Collinsville, Susan Sloan mentioned she paid practically $50,000 in full however by no means acquired a completed pool.
“We did our due diligence. We just got hoodwinked,” Sloan mentioned.
Debbie Adkins of Muskogee mentioned she paid $46,000 and was left with a big gap in her yard.
“This has been a nightmare. You can’t sleep at night,” Adkins mentioned.
In response to instances like these, Rep. Chris Banning authored House Bill 3338, generally known as the “Pool Contractor Act.” The bill would create a licensing program for pool and spa contractors in Oklahoma.
“Millions of dollars are being taken from our constituents by bad actors, and this is one of the things that we need to fix,” Banning mentioned.
Banning mentioned he was motivated partially by the FOX23 Investigations that aired.
“I find them extremely disturbing,” he mentioned. “It’s unfortunate that we have pool companies taking advantage of everyday constituents.”
The proposed regulation would require contractors to meet certification requirements. Banning mentioned the measure would additionally assist defend householders from liens if contractors fail to pay subcontractors.
That problem raised considerations for Tulsa house owner Melinda Mavers, who mentioned subcontractors contacted her straight, claiming that they had not been paid for work on her pool.
Pool firm proprietor Scott Bakkala, who helps the bill and helped counsel it, mentioned his firm, Vista Pools, usually will get calls from prospects left with incomplete projects.
“Many customers have incomplete projects or projects that never started and they’ve already paid out tens of thousands of dollars,” Bakkala mentioned.
House Bill 3338 has handed the Oklahoma House and is now headed to the Senate. If authorised there, it should transfer to the governor’s desk.
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office confirmed it’s investigating Midwest Pools. Multiple prospects advised FOX23 they anticipate to be interviewed as a part of that investigation.
Clark reached out to Johnson for touch upon the complaints. He has not responded not too long ago. In December, he mentioned, “No comment at this time.”
You can learn HB 3338 under:
