Latest news with #WFLANewsChannel8
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida man faces 20 years in prison for scamming customers out of $1.3M, leaving them with unfinished pools
Putting a pool in your backyard is a major decision — costing upwards of $100,000, according to HomeGuide — that inevitably involves disruption. But for Tampa Bay-area clients of Olympus Pools, the cost and disruption were far more than they bargained for. As WFLA News Channel 8 reports, hundreds were left with nothing but holes in their backyards and bank accounts, their money swindled by Olympus Pools' former owner James Staten. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) In May, he was sentenced to 20 years of prison followed by 30 years of probation — found guilty of 35 felony counts, including multiple counts of grand theft and contractor fraud. 'The sentence in this case is based on the fact that, out of all the testimony, you willfully ruined people's lives,' Judge Mary Handsel said during the sentencing. At the hearing, the prosecutor read victim impact statements to convey just how much damage Staten caused beyond unfinished pools, including this one: 'James Staten stole nearly $25,000 from us, leaving us with an unfinished pool and a shattered sense of security. Because of his actions we were forced to dip into our 401k to complete the work, setting back not just our retirement but also our daughter's college fund.' Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it In addition to his prison sentence, Staten must pay more than $1 million in restitution to be distributed to victims. He's also barred from owning a business or having any credit cards while he's on probation. At one time, Staten's business — Lutz, Florida-based Olympus Pools — claimed to be the largest pool builder in the state. But Staten shut down the company in July 2021 amid a slew of complaints and what Staten called 'constant negative media coverage.' Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation fined Staten $1.4 million and forced him to surrender his contracting licence. Later that same year, he and his wife filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to prosecutors, Staten collected money from clients despite knowing their pools were unlikely to be built. He used $1.3 million of his clients' money to fund his lifestyle. 'He was stealing money from a lot of us,' former Olympus client Toni Rosier told WFLA. In addition to receiving their fraction of the restitution funding, some former clients may qualify to receive a portion of their money back through the Florida Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund. However, the amount payable is capped and is unlikely to reimburse many clients for the full amount they lost. So, what steps can you take to prevent this from happening to you? Watch out for contractors who solicit door-to-door because they 'are in the area' or 'have materials left over from a previous job,' the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns. Get multiple quotes for your project and don't rush into a decision. Before making a final decision, verify the contractor's references — and call them. Many people ask for references from previous clients and then fail to call them. Also check Better Business Bureau reports. Confirm that your contractor is licensed and insured. You can check the license with local or state regulators and ask the contractor for proof of insurance. Also look for a contractor who's a member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and ask if they provide a warranty or guarantee. Be vigilant of contractors who pressure you to commit, only accept cash, demand full payment upfront or want you to borrow from a lender they recommend. Also beware if they ask you to get the permits. Get estimates and contracts in writing. The contract should include a timeline, a detailed cost breakdown, procedures for managing changes to the project and steps for resolving disputes. If things go wrong, keep detailed written records of conversations and events. Set up a payment plan contingent on work milestones being completed and don't pay in full upfront. Monitor expenses throughout the project to make sure they align with the estimate and ask for a receipt as proof of full payment once the contract is completed and paid for. Once the project starts, watch out for subcontractors who contact you directly for payment, have frequent or excessive unexpected expenses and materials that are lower quality than what was agreed to in the estimate. Lack of activity at the job site is another red flag. It may seem time-consuming to assess potential contractors and keep on top of their work, but this extra work could end up saving a lot of heartache — and your savings. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Oba Femi drops bombshell on Stephanie Vaquer, Myles Borne relationship ahead of NXT Battleground
Image via WWE WWE's NXT Battleground 2025 is already making headlines, and not just for its action-packed lineup. In a recent interview, NXT Champion Oba Femi stirred buzz by confirming what had long been rumoured: NXT Women's Champion Stephanie Vaquer is dating fellow wrestler and Battleground challenger Myles Borne. NXT gets a new power couple The revelation came during a promotional appearance on WFLA News Channel 8, where Femi and Vaquer were interviewed ahead of Sunday's event. While discussing his title defence against Borne, Femi casually remarked, 'I'm looking forward to beating up Stephanie Vaquer's boyfriend [Myles Borne] for a little bit.' The comment confirmed weeks of speculation that the two rising stars were romantically involved. Interview: WWE Superstars Oba Femi, Stephanie Vaquer on hopes for Memorial Day Takeover Femi elaborated further, expressing respect for Borne's rise through the ranks, but issued a strong warning: 'At the end of the day, this is not a Disney movie. You don't get the happy ending. You don't get to run off into the sunset with my belt.' The reaction on social media was immediate, with fans reacting to both the unexpected love story and the simmering rivalry. Though neither Vaquer nor Borne has publicly addressed the relationship, a photo of Vaquer with Borne's family that surfaced earlier this month had already fuelled speculation. The two have also been spotted together at social events, including a Kentucky Derby party. Interestingly, Myles Borne recently made headlines of his own after revealing that he is partially deaf - a moment that earned him widespread admiration from the NXT Universe. Now, with both his personal and professional lives in the spotlight, Borne heads into Battleground as one of the most talked-about superstars. Both Vaquer and Borne are scheduled for crucial title matches at Sunday's event. While Borne challenges Femi for the NXT Championship, Vaquer will defend her NXT Women's Title against TNA's Jordynne Grace in what promises to be a hard-hitting encounter. The event, airing on Peacock in the U.S. and Netflix internationally, will also feature Tony D'Angelo vs. Stacks, Trick Williams taking on Joe Hendry for the TNA World Title, and a six-man tag team clash involving Hank, Tank, and Josh Briggs against The Culling. As NXT's latest power couple garners attention, all eyes will be on whether their chemistry outside the ring translates to gold inside it - or whether personal stakes will raise the emotional temperature inside the squared circle. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida man spent $43K on windows, but the installation caused leaks. What to do if a home reno goes wrong
In November 2024, Florida resident Dominic Lampos paid $43,000 for 22 windows and a sliding glass door from Home Depot for a home renovation. He told Tampa's WFLA News Channel 8 that, aside from his house, it's the largest purchase he's ever made. Home Depot sent subcontractors to install the windows — but, unfortunately, they botched the job, resulting in damage to the interior trim and water leakage around the windows. Lampos believes the situation was made worse by a second set of subcontractors who were sent out to fix the shoddy work. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Pinellas County inspectors then failed the project, according to Channel 8. There were reportedly a number of issues, including nail holes that didn't look like they could hold the windows in place. A few days later, things went from bad to worse. During a period of light rain, Lampos told Channel 8 'it barely rained and it [the water] poured in, there was a puddle on my windowsill.' But Lampos' story is not unique. Each year, a number of Americans deal with botched home renovations and repair projects. In a recent survey, 22% of homeowners said they found it challenging to find a reliable contractor, while 15% of those who remodeled their homes cited poor workmanship. Taking the time to carefully vet a contractor doesn't guarantee there won't be any problems, but it does reduce your risk a fair bit. Almost all large projects will involve some hiccups along the way, but working with a reputable contractor can make it easier to resolve any issues that might arise. A good place to start is by asking for recommendations from reliable sources such as family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who've had reno work done. You can also check various referral and rating websites, as well as professional organizations such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. It's also helpful to speak to more than one contractor since you'll be working with them for a decent period of time and — similar to hiring a new employee at work — getting the right fit can be a factor in how the relationship and the project progresses. Once you've landed on a few potential contractors, check with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) and local or state consumer protection agencies to ensure there are no glaring issues. Then call the contractors to see if they have experience with your type of project, whether they have the time to devote to your reno, and whether they'd be willing to provide references. The next thing you should do is call their references and ask about their work. You should also investigate the contrators to verify that they're licensed for the type of work you need and make sure they have liability and workers' compensation insurance. Also, ask if they offer a workmanship warranty — also known as a craftsmanship or contractor warranty — which means defects will be addressed without any additional cost. Before the work starts, make sure to draw up a written contract to ensure both parties understand and agree upon the timeline, quality standards and payment schedules. The contract should also outline how changes will be handled and how disputes will be resolved, as well as tackle legal issues such as lien releases and building permits. Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP Many issues between contractors and homeowners boil down to poor communication, so be sure you are getting frequent updates on progress and potential problems from your contractor. If you do run into issues, getting angry and straining the relationship further won't help the situation. And if the relationship is deteriorating, communicate in writing, document all communications and try to work out a plan for moving forward. If the situation still doesn't improve, you could withhold payment until the problems are resolved or file a complaint with the BBB. You also may need to seek legal counsel, especially if a lot of money is on the line. Depending on the nature of the issue, your state consumer protection laws may be of help. While they tend to deal more with fraud and financing issues, some states — such as Illinois — have laws specifically governing home contractors. If it comes down to it, you may be able to sue for breach of contract, breach of warranty or negligence. Home insurance could also cover some of the costs if the renovation causes damage to your home or belongings. It's a good idea to contact your insurer before any work begins to understand what your policy will cover and to add any additional coverages that may be deemed prudent. As for Lampos, Channel 8 contacted Home Depot, which then sent out a crew to fix the issue, assuring Lampos that a 'comprehensive checklist' will be used to address and resolve the situation. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida remodeling company takes deposits on dream kitchens that evaporate into thin air along with cash
You saved up for a kitchen reno. You decide to purchase cabinets from a local company with great reviews. You deposit thousands of dollars for the cabinets and installation. Then … crickets. That's the situation Tampa-area homeowners find themselves in after forking over thousands of dollars to the local company One Stop Kitchen & Bath for cabinets that never materialized. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Here are 3 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Now their money is missing, too. Angie D'Angelo told WFLA News Channel 8 in Tampa that she and her husband paid $31,000 to the company for cabinets that never showed up. 'I don't know how you sleep at night when you're taking people's hard-earned money,' said Angie D'Angelo. Kari Sterling and her husband put down a $26,000 deposit with the company in October 2024 expecting new cabinets to be installed in January 2025. All they got was bad news. One Stop Kitchen & Bath — with showrooms in St. Petersburg, Oldsmar and Tampa — abruptly closed down. A sign at its Oldsmar location says closure was 'forced' upon the company 'due to severe financial pressures beyond our control.' Read more: Trump warns his tariffs will spark a 'disturbance' in America — use this 1 dead-simple move to help shockproof your retirement plans ASAP In an email to one customer, the company blamed the cabinet manufacturer MasterBrand for its insolvency. In response, a MasterBrand spokesperson said it had placed a 'credit hold' on One Stop Kitchens and Bath for failing to pay its financial obligations. MasterBrand reports that it has not received any money from One Stop Kitchen & Bath for the D'Angelo or Sterling projects. Now homeowners want the company to pay them back.. 'You can't just say, 'Oops, sorry, we're bad business people, oh well,'' Sterling said. By late March, 24 angry customers had filed complaints about the company with the Pinellas County Consumer Protection office. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is investigating. Contractor fraud and home improvement scams are common. In 2023 alone, the Federal Trade Commission recorded 83,000 reported cases of home improvement or repair scams. Some contractors do shoddy work or overcharge. Unethical contractors engage in price gouging in the wake of disasters. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, post-disaster contractor fraud totalled $9.3 billion in 2024. This impacts insurance premiums as well. When you're looking for a contractor, online reviews are a good start, but it's a good idea to do more thorough research and get written quotes from several contractors and asking them to explain their quote in greater detail.. Another way to identify a more reliable contractor is to work with one that is vetted and licensed. You can search for a licensed contractor in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry's online directory. These professionals are insured and follow local, state and federal regulations. Beware of any contractor who is pressuring you to make a decision fast, refuses to give you a written contract or asks for payment upfront. Another red flag is a contractor who doesn't have any kind of an online presence. If you believe you've been the victim of a contractor scam, contact your local consumer protection office, police station and home builders association. You can also raise awareness of your issue through the media — as the D'Angelos and Sterlings did. One option is to contact the national organization Call For Action, which connects individuals with media that cover consumer protection issues. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Cost-of-living in America is still out of control — and prices could keep climbing. Use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what Trump does This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
