FDLE: Blue Water Pools owner arrested after defrauding homeowners out of nearly $400,000

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The owner of Blue Water Pools has been arrested after being accused of defrauding homeowners in Franklin and Gulf counties.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tracy Matthew McClain, 42, was arrested after an investigation revealed McClain defrauded homeowners by taking large deposits to install in-ground pools but never completing them.

“More than a dozen victims faithfully saved to afford the pool, some paying as much as 90 percent of the total cost. But McClain was unable to complete any installation,” Tallahassee FDLE Chief Agent Mark Perez said in a statement, “I thank our FDLE agents and to the deputies at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this investigation to stop this fraud.”

The case against McClain, owner of Blue Water Pools, began in June 2021 to assist the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, but became an FDLE investigation when victims were identified in multiple warrants.

The investigation revealed that McClain accepted nearly $400,000 through thirteen separate contracts with 23 individuals who suffered financial loss as a result of the fraud scheme, the FDLE said.

Victims of the scheme were identified in Franklin, Leon and Gulf counties.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office arrested McClain in September, and agents say there may be additional victims in Franklin and Gulf counties.

“We appreciate the help of our state partners to bring people like McClain to justice, who knowingly victimize the trusting citizens of Franklin County,” Franklin County Sheriff AJ “Tony” Smith said in a statement.

Anyone with information about this case or who believes they may have been a victim is asked to contact FDLE Tallahassee at 800-342-0820.