A couple who advertised and accepted deposits on an upscale camping experience that was never built has taken a plea deal in Antrim County.
Bradley Carlson, 61, and Sandra Carlson, 58, were charged last December with five counts of larceny by conversion between $1,000 and $20,000 related to the operation of their company, Bella Solviva Inc. The company was charged with one count of larceny by conversion between $1,000 and $20,000 and one count of larceny by conversion between $200 and $1,000.
Beginning in 2015, the Carlsons began advertising Bella Solviva as a “glamping” resort that was to be built in Antrim County. The website and confirmation emails indicated that a refund potion was available if a site was not built or built in time for a reservation.
Despite accepting deposits from 2015 to 2017, never building the resort and repeated requests for refunds, more than 30 customers were never refunded.
The couple pleaded no contest last month to three counts of larceny by conversion between $200 and $1,000.
On Wednesday, the couple was sentenced to two years of probation. As part of their plea agreement, the Carlsons were ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $29,216.51 to the court by Oct. 18. That restitution was already paid to their attorney’s trust account and will go to victims listed in the complaint.
A pretrial conference is scheduled for the Bella Solviva company in Antrim County on Nov. 8.
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