A company that advertised an upscale camping experience and then defrauded campers out of their money pleaded no contest in Antrim County Circuit Court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday.
Bella Solviva Inc. pleaded no contest to the following before Judge Kevin A. Elsenheimer this morning:
• One felony count of larceny by conversion between $1,000 and $20,000.
• One misdemeanor count of larceny by conversion between $200 and $1,000.
The company owners, Bradley and Sandra Carlson, were sentenced last month to two years of probation. They were also ordered to pay restitution.
Beginning in 2015, the Carlsons advertised Bella Solviva as a “glamping,” or upscale camping, resort that was being built in the Antrim County area. The website and confirmation emails indicated that customers would have the option to receive a refund if a reserved site was not built or not built in time for a reservation.
Despite accepting deposits from 2015 to 2017, never building the resort, and receiving repeated requests for refunds, more than 30 customers were never refunded.
As Bella Solviva is a corporation, it does not face the possibility of jail or prison time, but may be sentenced to pay fines, costs, and restitution.
“The victims in the case were lied to and taken advantage of, and my office will not stand for businesses that defraud their customers and steal their money,” Nessel said. “Consumers must be able to trust their hard-earned money will be used as intended.”
Sentencing for Bella Solviva is scheduled for Dec. 13.
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