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Serene Pavers & Stonescapes, Inc., a New Smyrna Beach business that closed in September without completing dozens of jobs for which it was paid, was the scene of a flurry of law enforcement activity Thursday morning.
The News-Journal arrived just as Volusia County Sheriff’s Office crime scene van and a handful of other vehicles were leaving in the noon hour. It’s not clear what they were doing there.
An anonymous poster on the Facebook group page “Scammed by Serene Pavers and Eric Bartolozzi” stated the sheriff’s office van and some 10 to 12 other vehicles and law enforcement officers were seen at the business.
The business and its owner, Bartolozzi, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on Nov. 1. That filing shows it owes about 150 creditors nearly $1.6 million. More than 100 customers paid deposits or more for paver jobs, many of which were never started.
Andrew Gant, a Volusia County sheriff’s spokesman, said the agency has six cases that are either active or pending.
Other law enforcement agencies, including police in New Smyrna Beach, Port Orange and Ponce Inlet, have said they are investigating complaints against Serene Pavers and Bartolozzi.
Three recent complaints to the Sheriff’s Office show that victims ranged in age from 36 to 79, with two listing the potential charge as scheming to defraud. In two of the cases, victims reported losses of $8,281 and $8,114. In a third, the allegation involves an amount of between $20,000 and $50,000, but does not list a specific amount.
‘Took Us’:Customers of New Smyrna Beach paver company wonder if they will ever get their money back
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