[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 02/27/20]
(Have news tips for LLN?… 352Tips@gmail.com)
LEESBURG, Florida — An unlicensed contractor is facing two charges following an investigation by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
John William Sedman IV, 43, of Leesburg , also known as Billy Sedman d/b/a Wet Toys Marine Construction & Repair Inc., is accused of constructing a metal seawall and boat slip. Sedman is not a licensed marine contractor.
In May 2019, a Lake County investigator observed a metal seawall being constructed at a home in Leesburg. The homeowner told the investigator he hired a contractor and wrote a deposit check in the amount of $2,650, first made out to “Billy Sedman,” according to an affidavit. Sedman later returned the check and asked the homeowner to replace it with a check made out to “Wet Toys Marine.” The Florida Division of Corporations shows two inactive corporations tied to the “Wet Toys” and Sedman name: Wet Toys Marine Inc. that lists John W. Sedman IV as president and Wet Toys Marine Construction & Repair Inc., registered to John Sedman III, who is Sedman IV’s father.
The Lake County investigator issued a $1,000 civil citation to Sedman IV for rebuilding a boat slip without a license. The Lake County Board of Examiners scheduled and noticed Sedman for three administrative hearings, but Sedman failed to appear at any of them.
In an interview with an investigator, Sedman IV said he was not building docks anymore, just repairs and, “he knows he has to get licensed,” the affidavit states. The investigation was concluded in January and a warrant for Sedman was issued Feb. 14. He was arrested Tuesday and released on $2,000 bond. Lake County Jail records show previous arrests on charges of grand theft and failure to return leased property.
_______________________________
Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
