Racketeering Charges Filed Against 2 Pinellas Boat Builders

CLEARWATER, FL – Two Pinellas County men face racketeering charges as a result of a multi-agency investigation into complaints received against their boat building business.

According to six different agencies, Justin Edwin Belz and Andrew Christopher Reeves Biddle II were found to have engaged in a pattern of racketeering activity while operating Calypso Skiff LLC. Grand theft and dealing in stolen property were also among the 42 charges filed against both defendants on Tuesday, April 18.

Pinellas County Consumer Protection, an office under the Pinellas Board of County Commissioners, partnered on the investigation with the Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office, Clearwater Police Department, St. Petersburg Police Department, Largo Police Department and the Florida Department of Financial Services.

“Protecting our county residents and consumers from unlawful business practices is always a top priority,” said Doug Templeton, the operations manager with Consumer Protection. “The agency partnerships and diligent efforts on this case will help prevent other consumers from becoming fraud victims.”

According to a Pinellas County press release, the defendants formed Calypso Skiff LLC in October 2015 and began to take deposits for boats that were either not delivered or only partially completed. The press release also said while operating the enterprise, the two men also obtained vehicles, boat molds, boat motors and other items – and paid employees – with worthless checks.

The agencies said the total fraud amount associated with the defendants exceeds $275,000.

Under Florida Law, a person commits racketeering when they are involved with an organization that has the purpose of engaging in criminal activity, such as fraud or theft.

Pinellas County Consumer Protection provides assistance in the resolution of consumer-business disputes, investigates allegations of criminal violations, educates and informs the consumer and business communities regarding existing consumer protection laws and enforces several county ordinances, including adult use, bingo, towing and human trafficking public awareness.

For more information on Consumer Protection, visit www.PinellasCounty.org/consumer or call (727) 464-6200.

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