Southwest Florida pool builder faces forgery charges as state closes some customer complaints, finds cause for others

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK) — Southwest Florida homeowners who say they paid tens of thousands of dollars for pools that were never finished are expressing frustration as state regulatory determinations roll in, leaving many with little recourse after waiting months for answers.

A WINK Investigates examination into David Scott Noe and his company, Screenworks Contractors of Southwest Florida LLC, reveals a growing divide among customers seeking accountability. While a small handful of clients recently received notices of probable cause from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the majority have received closure letters indicating state regulators found insufficient evidence to pursue administrative discipline.

The decision letters follow months of mounting accusations of fraud and recent criminal charges against Noe regarding alleged document forgery.

Disparate Outcomes for Customers

For Lehigh Acres resident Ralph Taylor, relief came in the form of a DBPR completion letter. Taylor handed over $70,000 to Screenworks in 2024 to build a backyard pool. The project sat stalled until Taylor spent an additional $35,000 with a second contractor to complete the work.

“We didn’t budget for a $35,000 shortfall, so I had to take it out of retirement,” Taylor said. “I’m going to have to work longer.”

The state agency notified Taylor that investigators found probable cause and escalated his administrative case.

Janet Dockendorff received a similar probable cause determination. After paying Noe her full $67,000 contract amount, she was left with an empty hole in her yard and a property lien placed by unpaid subcontractors.

“We gave them that last payment... got home to find a hole in the ground... and lo and behold, he never paid them... so they put the lien onto us,” Dockendorff said. She estimates she is out an additional $32,000 to clear the lien and hire a replacement contractor.

However, Taylor and Dockendorff are exceptions among the core group of affected homeowners. Most, including Bill and Tina Keeney, were issued generic closure letters.

The Keeneys paid $60,000 toward an $82,000 contract. When construction halted for months, they refused to pay further installments until guaranteed a firm completion date. DBPR officials later informed them there was insufficient evidence to bring administrative action.

“It’s just closed,” Bill Keeney said. “How is it closed if you [DBPR] didn’t even investigate us and ask us any questions?”

The Keeneys believe regulators only pursued cases where customers paid 100% of their contract balance upfront.

“I almost feel stupid,” Bill Keeney added. “If I’d have gave him another $22,000 or $21,000... the ones that got the case forward paid for their pool, all of it.”

Allegedly Forged Documents and Differing Police Responses

The administrative cases coincide with criminal charges filed in Lee County. Taylor helped lead detectives to Noe after discovering an altered Notice of Commencement. The document showed the project start date had been changed to the year 2044.

“I’ll be dead by then,” Taylor said.

WINK Investigates uncovered similar instances in Cape Coral—including Dockendorff’s project—where official paperwork listed commencement dates stretched out to 2044 or 2045.

While the Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Noe on charges related to forging public documents, Cape Coral Police initially declined to bring charges.

On Tuesday, Cape Coral Police confirmed it has two active investigations into Noe and due to the cases still being open would not comment further.

According to Lee County Sheriff’s Office detective reports, Noe claimed he was unaware of how the dates became 2044, calling the filings a mistake.

“Do you buy any of that?” Chief WINK Investigates Reporter Chorus Nylander asked Janet Dockendorf.

“Absolutely not—again, intention and pattern,” Dockendorff said.

Regulatory Process and Next Steps

Noe has bonded out of jail following his arrest by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He did not respond to requests for comment regarding his arrest. An early resolution hearing is scheduled for next month in Lee County Court regarding the two document forgery charges.

Under Florida law, contractor complaints filed with the DBPR remain confidential until probable cause is formally established. While disciplinary action by the state board can result in monetary fines or license suspensions, the regulatory process does not guarantee financial restitution for impacted property owners.

The DBPR has not responded to requests for comment regarding its determinations or investigation procedures. Public records requests for active case files remain pending.

If you have a story you’d like WINK Investigates to look into email us at winkinvestigates@winknews.com or call our tip line at 239-344-5074.