Spencer Calvert wept as he made a final plea to the judge and his victims before being sentenced for bilking at least 15 people out of millions of dollars and their dream homes in St. Johns County.
The victims weren’t in a forgiving mood. And neither was Judge Christopher Ferebee, who sentenced him on July 29 to the maximum five years in prison followed by 30 years of probation.
As part of Calvert’s negotiated plea, he must pay $8,722,659 in restitution and at the time of the sentencing also paid $1 million to be distributed among the victims based on their percentage loss, according to the 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
About four months after a plea agreement collapsed when the victims objected, the Pineapple Corp. owner from Jacksonville pleaded guilty as charged on June 30 to all 45 felony counts ― organized scheme to defraud more than $50,000, 15 counts of grand theft more than $100,000, grand theft, misappropriation of construction funds $100,000 or more, 26 counts of misappropriation of construction funds $1,000 to $100,000 and misappropriation of construction funds less than $1,000.
From 2019 to 2023, he cheated multiple clients by accepting payments to build their homes in the desirable Nocatee community and then leaving them unfinished, court records show. Several of the construction projects were abandoned by his company in various incomplete stages.
“I’ve made numerous mistakes which have led to catastrophic losses and hardships that the victims and many others have faced and continue to face,” he said tearfully in court before learning his fate. “For that I accept complete responsibility, and I offer my sincere apology.”
Calvert, 54, apologized to each of the victims by name, according to Times-Union news partner First Coast News. But they said they never felt any remorse from him while being scammed of their hard-earned money and new homes.
Among the victims was “Below Deck” reality TV star Capt. Sandy Yawn. Her wife, Leah Yawn, said she does not believe Calvert’s remorse is genuine.
“It is fake. It is phony. He is a criminal,” Leah Yawn said, according to First Coast News.
Investigators uncovered that Calvert would take upfront deposits from the victims to pay several subcontractors he hired to do work on their homes. However, he never paid them, which forced subcontractors to take out liens against the homebuyers’ property for labor, services and materials.
“The defendant will spend the next five years behind bars,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said after the sentencing. “Construction fraud is a pressing problem, especially in growing communities like St Johns County. The State Attorney’s Office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who engage in said fraudulent activities.”
Scott Butler has been an editor/reporter specializing in public safety coverage for 26 years with The Florida Times-Union. He can be reached at sbutler@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Swindler homebuilder apologizes to St. Johns victims before sentencing
Reporting by Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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By Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
