Local Pool Contractor Arrested and Facing Multiple Felony Theft Charges

Nashville Pool Contractor Booked Into Jail

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The community is reeling as a well-known pool contractor has been taken into custody this past Thursday, after accusations of fraudulent dealings with numerous customers. The contractor, now held at the Lawrence County Jail, faces felony theft charges across multiple counties.

The Consequences of Failed Promises

The reports against the contractor started surfacing way back in July 2023. First among the alleged victims was Gene Hynok, who claimed to have paid his life savings to the contractor’s company, Westco LLC, for a pool installation that was never completed. “They have taken away a precious year of our lives, that my family could have spent making memories with our grandchildren,” lamented Hynok.

Hynok’s allegations were just the beginning. As the case unfolded, over 40 other individuals came forward with similar stories of unfulfilled contracts and lost money, resulting in the subsequent arrest of the contractor, Randy Westerbeck, on felony theft charges. Apart from facing charges in Maury and Wayne Counties, Westerbeck is also set to answer to the same accusations in Lawrence County.

Long Overdue Justice

Upon hearing the news of Westerbeck’s arrest, Hynok stated emotionally, “I always pride myself with being a tough man, but I am not going to lie to you, I teared up a little bit when I heard he was finally being held accountable.”

Westerbeck has remained unavailable for comment following his recent incarceration. However, in a prior interview in July, he expressed remorse over the whole situation. He claimed the revenue from his client payments was insufficient to sustain his business operations, eventually leading him to file for bankruptcy.

Hynok, while not hopeful of reclaiming his lost savings, expressed a sense of closure for himself and other victims. He stated, “The people saw, the justice system saw, so they are going to take action.”

Legal Proceedings Begin

Westerbeck currently remains in the Lawrence County Jail with a bond set at $20,000. His trials for the felony theft charges will commence with a court appearance in Maury County set for two weeks from now, followed by another hearing in Wayne County scheduled for May.

Investigation Underway

In the midst of these allegations, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, has undertaken further inquiries. With more charges potentially on the horizon, the full scope of Westerbeck’s alleged fraudulent scheme remains to be uncovered.

As legal proceedings start to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder about the importance of thorough due diligence when engaging contractors for significant home improvement projects.