Contractor Dug Hole, Didn't Complete The Pool, Westport Cops Say

WESTPORT, CT — The owner of a Shelton pool company was arrested on a warrant by Westport police this week after he was accused of digging a hole for a new residential pool in Westport but then never finishing the project, according to Lt. Jillian Cabana.

Richard Sutcliffe, 49, of Shelton, owner of Champion Pool, surrendered to police on Thursday and was charged with second-degree larceny, failure to furnish contract with cancellation statement and failure to provide written three day notice of cancellation.

Westport police said that the homeowner gave Champion Pool a $25,000 deposit in March 2018 for the installation of a pool.

"The victim had a verbal agreement with the owner of Champion Pool, Richard Sutcliffe, to draft a contract and full quote once the victim obtained the required permits from the Town of Westport," Cabana stated. "The victim's check was cashed and he received a receipt for his deposit on 07/22/2018. The company later took down several sections of the victim's fence and dug a hole in the backyard. The victim stated no further work was completed and he was unable to make contact with Sutcliffe since 11/27/2018."

The homeowner contacted Westport police in January of this year to report the theft of the money, and soon after, an investigating officer met with Sutcliffe who agreed to provide the victim an invoice and return the balance of his deposit, minus the billable hours already spent on the project, Cabana stated.

"As of May 2019, Sutcliffe had not provided an invoice or returned any of the victim's deposit despite multiple phone calls and assurances by Sutcliffe that he would do so. During the investigation, the officer learned Sutcliffe also never provided the required written contract to the victim, nor had he provided the three day notice of cancellation as required by law."

Sutcliffe was released after posting bond on bail of $50,000, and he is scheduled to appear in Norwalk Superior Court on July 9.