Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Monday that a company who advertised as an upscale camping experience, and then defrauded campers out of their money, pleaded no contest in Antrim County Circuit Court.
According the Michigan Department of the Attorney General, Bella Solviva Inc. pleaded no contest to the following before Judge Kevin A. Elsenheimer Monday morning:
- one felony count of larceny by conversion between $1,000 and $20,000; and
- one misdemeanor count of larceny by conversion between $200 and $1,000.
The department states company owners Bradley and Sandra Carlson were sentenced in October to two years of probation, and were also ordered to pay restitution.
Back in 2015, the Carlsons advertised Bella Solviva Inc. as a “glamping,” or upscale camping, resort that was being built in Antrim County.
The website and confirmation emails indicated that customers would have the option to receive a refund if a reserved site was not built or built in time for a reservation.
However, despite accepting deposits from 2015 to 2017, never building the resort and receiving repeated requests for refunds, more than 30 customers were never refunded.
According to the Michigan Department of the Attorney General, because Bella Solviva is a corporation, it does not face the possibility of jail or prison time. However, they 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,” stated Attorney General Nessel. “Consumers must be able to trust their hard-earned money will be used as intended.”
Bella Solviva Inc. is scheduled to be sentenced in December.
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