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ORANGE COUNTY – Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) law
enforcement agents, working in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney
General’s Statewide Prosecution and the Florida Department of Financial
Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud, today arrested Thomas P. Costa, 59, owner
of Protective Solutions, a mold remediation company in Orlando. Costa is charged
with violating provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations
(RICO) Act, a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison and/or
a fine up to $10,000 or up to three times the amount stolen.
“The deliberate falsification of records and the willful defrauding of
unsuspecting citizens and businesses is a crime that we take very seriously,”
said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry Barnet. “The DEP Division of
Law Enforcement is committed to protecting the environment and the public by
prosecuting those who attempt to use false science and fraud to coerce innocent
people into purchasing services that are not needed or never delivered as
promised. We encourage Florida residents and visitors to report any suspected
environmental crimes by calling (877) 2-SAVE-FL or #DEP from most wireless
devices.”
In addition to being charged with violating provisions of the RICO Act, Costa
is being charged with:
- Two counts of second degree Grand Theft, second degree felonies punishable
by up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine up to $10,000 per count;
- Twenty-two
counts of third degree Grand Theft, third degree felonies punishable by up to
five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000 per count;
- Fourteen counts of
Communications Fraud, third degree felonies punishable by up to five years in
prison and/or a fine up to $5,000 per count;
- Two counts of Unlawful Acts as a
Public Adjuster, third degree felonies punishable by up to five years in prison
and/or a fine up to $5,000 per count; and
- Four counts of Insurance Fraud,
third degree felonies punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up
to $5,000 per count.
Between April 6, 2007 and November 4, 2008, Costa and Protective Solutions
received calls from dozens of individuals and businesses regarding possible mold
problems at homes, apartment complexes, and businesses in the Orlando, Fort
Myers, and West Palm Beach areas. Costa obtained samples that he told his
clients would be tested; however, no actual testing took place. Instead, Costa
provided fictitious laboratory reports to clients that were extremely technical
in nature. Costa then offered assistance in performing ‘remediation’ for the
mold problems, which amounted to tearing out walls, carpet, flooring, tile, and
cabinets in order to ‘remove’ the mold. During the ‘remediation,’ the mold was
not always properly removed, leaving clients and their families with a
continuing mold problem and, in many instances, illnesses or related health
problems. Subsequent to the ‘remediation,’ clients were financially responsible
for all repairs to the affected areas, and many either moved or lost their
homes. During this 19-month period, Costa and Protective Solutions received more
than $239,000.00 for fraudulent laboratory testing and remediation work.
More than 160 fictitious laboratory reports were allegedly issued by Costa
and Protective Solutions between April 6, 2007 and November 4, 2008. More than
twenty-nine victims crossing four judicial circuits were affected by this
organized scheme to defraud. Costa was transported and booked at the Orange
County Jail, and bond was set at $294,000.
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental
resource law enforcement, as well as providing law enforcement services to
Florida’s state parks and greenways and trails. Division personnel from the
three operational bureaus patrol state lands, investigate environmental resource
crimes, and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material
incidents and oil spills that threaten the environment.
To report an environmental crime, wireless customers can dial #DEP. Callers
can also report environmental crimes to the State Warning Point by calling (877)
2-SAVE-FL (1.877.272.8335). General environmental inquiries should be directed
to DEP district offices during normal business hours. For more information about
DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/law. |
2012 State of Florida