Kansas Dive Shop Owner arrested for theft from customers

[DandyDon]

Dive Shop Owner Accused of Ripping Off Customers

A Salina business owner is facing charges after he allegedly took customers’ money for SCUBA-diving trips that never left dock.

49-year-old Mark Alan Ash, owner of H2O Aquatic Adventures, was booked into the Saline County on Wednesday on charges which include theft by deception, impairing a security interest and selling/disposing of personal property.

Ash is accused of taking ten thousand dollars in deposit for diving trips and associated equipment without providing the associated goods and services. Officials say Ash also lied about a third party being responsible for delays in honoring the deals.

Ash claims he has paid back funds owed to some of the plaintiffs, but still has to settle accounts with others.

 

[Cert1967]

Dive Shop Owner Accused of Ripping Off Customers

H2o aquatic adventures
August 14 ·
I want to thank everyone that supports and has supported H2O. I know it’s been awhile for much movement on my end due to some changes and financial crash with the past floods.
I regret that I have had to close the doors to the storefront. I am working to remedy any vacation or equipment refunds due back as quickly as I am able. I apologize for any inconvenience.
I am still teaching lessons by appointment only and am scheduled through the YMCA of Salina.

Again I sincerely apologize and appreciate each and everyone of my customers.

Sincerely,
Scuba Mark​

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Good luck, Mark. Keep doing the right thing.

 

[Leighen]

Good luck, Mark. Keep doing the right thing.

Since when is ripping off customers "doing the right thing"?

 

[Stoo]

Since when is ripping off customers "doing the right thing"?

Sometimes sh*t happens with a business that's beyond the owner's control. By the sounds of things, the owner of gradually making refunds out of his personal funds to his customers.

Admittedly, using these "deposits" for purposes other than what they were intended for was wrong, but it sounds like he's trying, and that should be applauded. (Having Johnny Law show up at your door is "inspiring" I'm sure, as well!)

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Since when is ripping off customers "doing the right thing"?

I meant in trying to make restitution.

 

[Leighen]

It's been my experience (with a building contractor) that once someone gets themselves in such a big hole there's no way out. He's got criminal charges and associated hefty legal expenses, he's closed his doors, his reputation is down the tubes and only a few staunch supporters are going to throw any money his way along with those that aren't aware of the situation- it's not enough to stay in business let alone pay his way out of debt.

 

[Sam Miller III]

Simple
He is a thief- e will be convicted as a thief
he will always be a thief

SDM

 

[Wookie]

Simple
He is a thief- e will be convicted as a thief
he will always be a thief

SDM

Yes. Using funds for reasons other than they were allocated for is called theft. Dive shops (and others, I'm sure) do it all the time.

 

[Leighen]

Using funds for reasons other than they were allocated for is called theft. Dive shops (and others, I'm sure) do it all the time.

Then there are a lot of thieves out there!

Doesn't speak well of the dive shop industry to say they do it all the time.