LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY — Tracy Davenport, 51, a resident of Louisville, pleaded guilty in a scheme to defraud more than 50 customers through a pool installation business, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
According to court records, Davenport pleaded guilty on February 19, 2026, to charges including wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and money laundering in a 19-count indictment.
Prosecutors said Davenport and those working under her direction persuaded customers to sign pool construction contracts and pay large deposits upfront.
However, instead of using the money to build pools as promised, Davenport allegedly used the funds for other purposes, causing many customers to lose thousands of dollars without receiving the agreed-upon services.
According to federal authorities, the total restitution Davenport must pay to victims is no less than $3,398,536.75.
Sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on May 20, 2026, at the federal courthouse. The judge will determine the sentence based on federal sentencing guidelines and relevant legal factors.
The federal justice system does not allow parole.
Federal prosecutor Kyle G. Bumgarner said the fraud caused significant financial and emotional damage to the victims.
According to Bumgarner, many of the victims had saved for years to afford a pool before losing their entire deposits to the scam.
Local prosecutor Gerina D. Whethers, representing the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, acknowledged the role of investigative agencies and law enforcement in bringing the case to light.
The case was investigated by FBI Louisville and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, with assistance from Louisville Metro Police, the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Trustee’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Federal prosecutor Nicole Elver handled the prosecution.
According to WLKY, Davenport had previously been sentenced to 5 years in prison and 2 years of home confinement in a similar fraud case in Indiana, and was also ordered to pay $245,000 in restitution to victims.
