Consumer law violations cost South Jersey pool installer $2.6M

A Hammonton swim pool installation firm is dunned $2.6 million in civil penalties and restitution for leaving paid work undone.

Waterworld Fiber Glass Pools (N.E.) Inc., and its Vice-President Donald Tallman, committed 229 violations of New Jersey consumer protection laws, according to data presented in court by the Division of Consumer Affairs, officials in the office of acting state Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.

Prosecutors found the company in violation of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, Contractors' Registration Act and related regulations.

Some 15 customers are owed a total $277,550 restitution under a court-issued default order. Investigators said that customers paid for in-ground pools that were left unbuilt or partly-built, and others experienced post-intallation problems that received no followup.

The company owes the state $2.3 million in penalties, costs and fees.

Tallman was barred from working in New Jersey's home improvement field and Waterworld's certificate of formation was permanently cancelled.

"Some consumers were left with enormous holes that had been dug in their backyards after the defendants failed to complete contracted-for work," Hoffman said in prepared remakrs.

"In light of this judgment, we will do everything in our power to obtain the court-ordered restitution to make these consumers whole again."

Acting Consumer Affairs Director Steve Lee said that Waterworld left consumers hanging out to dry.

"Pool liners that should have lasted years, instead developed cracks within weeks and electrical systems failed code inspections because of improper installation," Lee said.