I-TEAM INVESTIGATION: More problems with local pool contractor

Sunday, May 27, 2018

(News 12 at 6 o'clock)

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- A local pool contractor could find himself in even deeper water after a News 12 I-Team investigation. Our I-Team already uncovered a pattern of problems with Earl Chastagner's work in Aiken County. Now, we're exposing a similar ripple effect in Columbia County.

Just this past October, Earl Chastagner faced Columbia County's Chief Magistrate Judge on not one, not two, but 12 violations. All of those violations were connected to three pools he was in the process of building. Still, Columbia County keeps giving Chastagner its blessing to keep working.

"We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into," said Audra Bono. Had they known, Audra and her husband Carlo say they would never have let him start.

Meredith: "When did you start to get a clue that, hmm, this doesn't feel right to me?'"

Audra: "When the county showed up."

According to the incident report, it all started with an anonymous complaint. A "Columbia County inspector knocked on our door," Carlo said. "Asked if we were building a pool in the backyard."

Sure enough, the Bonos had concrete evidence Great White Pools was doing something not-so-great. The owner, Earl Chastagner, did not have any permits for any of this work, but he did have some bushes. "Shrubbery, in the barrels that were brought in," Audra explained. "They were kind of lined up on the side of the house. We were pretty sure he didn't want people to see what was going on in our backyard."

Chastagner was also busted that same day for doing the same thing in two other backyards too. Code Enforcement discovered he had no permits for any kind of work, including digging, electrical, and building.

The county shut down work in all three backyards.

The Bonos noticed what they thought were other problems too with the quality of the work. "If there's a short-cut," Carlo said, "he's gonna take it."

It's the same picture a lot of families keep painting for me, including one from another pool in Evans and one in Jefferson County. Both families tell me they paid Chastagner tens of thousands of dollars, but got nothing but an unfinished mess.

Chastagner, however, maintains he has happy customers. He sent me some pictures to prove it, though he never gave me a name or address. In one of those pictures, a red chair looked familiar. It reminded me of another picture I received from a woman claiming to be another victim. I sent her Chastanger's photo and a message asking if it was her pool. "Yes," she replied. "but not sure how you got that pic. I didn't take that one." I told her Chastagner sent it to me. She added, "We're not happy. We've paid him for a job that has yet to be done right."

Meredith: "You said you don't want him back on your property. What do you want to happen to him?"

Carlo: "Personally, I'd like to see him in jail.

Yet, Chastagner is still able to keep getting permits. Paul Scarbary, Columbia County's Development Service Director, says that's because permits are only approved or denied based on the site plan. Things like past permit problems, unfinished jobs, or sub-par work could not come into play.

I asked if that's why Chastagner keeps getting permits? He said, unless there's a law change or ordinance change, yes.

That's why Chastagner was able to eventually get permits to start work again at the Bonos.

The Bonos say he has yet to finish.

"I don't even think my daughter will actually swim in this pool before she graduates high school," Carlo said.

Columbia County's Chief Magistrate Judge told me Chastagner pleaded guilty to 6 of the 12 violations. He did not receive jail time, but he did get fines and probation. This week, Chastagner is scheduled to be in court again in Aiken County. It's related to a fraud conviction connected to problems with his pools. We'll let you know what happens. We're also planning to ask lawmakers about Georgia law when it comes to backyard pool builders. Right now, they do not need a general contractor's license or even take an exam. Stay tuned.