VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The owner of a now-defunct business in Volusia County was arrested Tuesday after local residents accused him of running after their money without doing the work he promised, according to court records.
Police say 63-year-old Maurice Bushroe is the owner of Blue Ribbon Pools, a pool construction business based in Port Orange. State records show he also operated under other business names, including Blue Tiger Pools, Blue Ribbon Group and Discount Pool N Spa.
In an affidavit, police said Bushroe received $18,500 in August 2022 from an Ormond Beach homeowner who contracted Blue Ribbon Pools to build him a pool.
Construction is scheduled to begin that month, but while “minor efforts” have been made on the property — such as installing equipment — no actual work has been done on the pool itself, the affidavit shows.
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The homeowner then found he couldn’t reach Bushroe, who tried to avoid contact after receiving the money, police said.
On August 26, 2022, the Blue Ribbon Pools website announced that the company was no longer in business.
To our Customers and other Stakeholders:
It is with great regret and a heavy heart that I must announce that Blue Ribbon Pools has suspended operations, effective today.
This decision was not made hastily or without exhausting all possible alternatives. The Blue Ribbon team worked tirelessly to complete each project, but the pandemic, coupled with supply chain issues, rising recording costs and labor shortages proved impossible to overcome.
Many of you have questions about the status of your service, repair and construction projects. We will provide as much information as possible while we consult with our accountants and attorneys on the next steps forward. Please email info@blueribbonpools.com with questions and we will try to answer them as more information becomes available.
Please accept my personal apology for this situation.
Maurice Bushroe, Blue Ribbon Pools
Blue Ribbon Pool home page
According to investigators, there are many other victims with similar issues involving Blue Ribbon Pools and Bushroe.
Court records show that a witness told Port Orange police that there was “some sort of preconceived plan” about the company going out of business, meaning Bushroe would take the money and not complete the work. .
Bushroe was later located and arrested at his home in New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday, police said.
He faces charges of grand theft and is being held on $7,500 bond, although he was later released Wednesday afternoon.
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