Oasis Pools owner pleads no contest to three charges

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The owner of Oasis Pools, who contracted to build swimming pools in Las Vegas and then never finished the jobs, has pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor charges, ending the criminal prosecution against him.

James A. Hampton Jr., 50, was charged Thursday with two counts of deceptive trade practices and one count of failing to pay industrial insurance premiums.

Justice of the Peace Doug Smith followed a plea bargain in which Hampton will pay $45,130 to Greentree Financial Services and make restitution of $23,749 to the State Industrial Insurance System for unpaid premiums.

Deputy State Attorney General Richard Linstrom said the money must be paid within one year. And Hampton must perform eight hours of community service per month until the restitution has been fully paid. A status check on the case is set for July 16.

Linstrom said he did not want to put Hampton in jail because he would not be able to make restitution. And he said that Hampton would not be able to repay his debts if he was ordered to perform excessive amounts of community service.

In addition, Hampton signed a stipulation that he will be prohibited from working as a contractor for 10 years without posting $250,000 security with the Nevada State Contractor's Board. The board generally requires a $10,000 bond.

If he violates the bonding requirement, he could face a fine of up to $10,000 for each infraction.

"I just think of the other homeowners who have been hurt by him," Kay Barber, executive director of the state Contractors Board, said. "If he wanted to apply for a license, we would take it into consideration. But there are other factors to take into consideration.

"The bond is one issue, but so is workmanship, financial responsibility and previous license history."

Hampton, who is now in bankruptcy court, was originally charged with three gross misdemeanor counts of failing to pay premiums to SIIS. Under the agreement, he pleaded no contest to two counts of deceptive trade practices involving his contract to build two swimming pools when he knew he could not complete the job. Greentree Financial Services, which had financed ventures by Hampton, agreed to complete the work on the two pools at a cost of $45,130 and it will now be reimbursed under the plea agreement.

Hampton's Oasis Pools company contracted to build 104 swimming pools in and around Las Vegas in 1995. Many of the pools were never completed. He and his two sons, who were officers in the company, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Linstrom said the state could only prove criminal actions in the final two swimming pool contracts. He said Hampton entered into the contracts and then "failed to make delivery of goods or services within a reasonable time or to make refund for the goods or services."

And his company did not post a sign at the project saying who the workers' compensation carrier was and he never paid premiums to SIIS.

Several former customers of Hampton's who did not get their pools completed are seeking civil action against him.

Scott and Jennifer DeHoog, for example, contracted for a $15,000 pool and paid Hampton $5,300 down. They contend that only $2,000 worth of work was completed.

"I think the fine could have been stiffer because he is a millionaire," Jennifer DeHoog said. "They could have given him more community service. And I don't think he should be able to get his license renewed."

SUN REPORTER Art Nadler contributed to this story.