In July 2024, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) launched an investigation into the business practices surrounding Kenneth David Nicholls, 55, after receiving multiple reports from customers claiming he had failed to provide hot tub repairs and services for which he had taken payment. The initial news release can be located here.
Investigators initially fielded 17 fraud-related complaints, with another 31 complainants coming forward after the news release was issued.
“This investigation quickly snowballed as more complainants came forward with reports of paying for services they did not receive,” said Cst. Shannon Weston of the Police Electronic Response Team (PERT). “The investigation revealed that the accused had taken payment for nearly $100,000 worth of services that were never delivered.”
Nicholls faces 46 charges including fraud under $5,000 (x32), fraud over $5,000 (x4), Theft over $5,000 (x3) and theft under $5,000 (x7).