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| The BCSO said the investigation began in August after payments totaling $23,999 were submitted to Cook. |
By WALA Digital Staff and Ariel Mallory
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - On Thursday the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office served an arrest warrant on 57-year-old Frederick Brewster Cook III of Seminole for the charges of first-degree financial exploitation of the elderly, first-degree theft of property and home repair fraud.
According to the BCSO, the warrants stem from an investigation into the activities of Cook, in which he allegedly entered into an agreement with a 67-year-old homeowner to repair and remodel an inground pool.
Captain Daniel Steelman with BCSO says the business was under the name Swimlast.
FOX10 News obtained court documents that say Swimlast hasn’t been in business in almost 15 years.
The documents also say Cook gave the alleged victim old business cards.
“During the investigation we determined Mr. Cook was not a licensed contractor, ultimately just defrauded our victim,” Captain Steelman said. “With that ultimately Mr. Cook, Frederick Cook, failed to do the work and then also then stopped calling back the homeowner.”
The BCSO said the investigation began in August after payments totaling $23,999 were submitted to Cook. Through the investigation, it was learned that Cook was not a licensed contractor, he did not perform the agreed upon work and he caused significant damage to the pool, before he stopped showing up and ended contact with the victim, according to investigators.
The sheriff’s office warns that everyone should use licensed contractors and ensure building permits are obtained prior to work beginning. You can check with the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors and the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board for a list of licensed contractors and the Better Business Bureau for information concerning businesses that engage in deceptive business practices, the office said.
Steelman says Cook left the pool unusable, and in worse condition that it started out.
Court documents say in May the alleged victim paid Cook the full $24,000 through four separate installments over 4 months.
The documents also say Cook doesn’t hold a contractor license in Alabama and isn’t qualified to do such construction.
Captain Steelman says they haven’t received any other reports outside of this one.
If you feel you may be a victim, you’re asked to contact the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Full Article & Source:
Baldwin County man charged with home repair fraud, exploiting elderly homeowner
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