I have stayed in villas managed by Green Orange Villas (Dr Roger Colby) in the past and have been satisfied. However, in Aug 08, I made final payment to Colby, via mailed check, for reservations for Thanksgiving. Total payment was $686.00 for 5 nights. Because of medical problems of one of our co-travelers, we had to cancel our reservations.
In Oct 08, I received confirmation of the cancellation from Colby which also stated that although our funds were not refundable, they would be held and applied to any future visit. I recently (2/20/09) attempted to make new reservations with Green Orange Villas and was informed that all telephone numbers for either GOV or Colby had been disconnected and the GOV website had been shut down.
I then determined that Colby and his wife had been arrested 11/08 by the State Attorney Office, charged with multiple counts of fraud related to failing to fulfill rental agreements as well as conducting rentals without required Florida registration/licensing. This matter reportedly is going to trial in the next couple of months and I am attempting to obtain reimbursement of my funds that Colby has received. Because the use of US mails and electronic media was used in this scheme, I believe that federal charges could also be filed.
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