LEE COUNTY, Fla. — A Lee County woman found herself behind bars after ignoring court orders. Nadine Beebe and her husband, Edward, have faced months of legal proceedings with a Fort Myers Beach homeowner, Joe Salvaggio. The Beebes are accused of taking Salvaggio’s money for repairs but never completing the work.
Robert Goodman, Salvaggio’s attorney, explained that the couple could avoid jail time if Edward Beebe presents the court with the requested documentation. This includes the last three months of bank statements and the last two years of tax returns.
“It’s kind of a legal theory that you’ve got the key to get yourself out,” said Goodman. “So if you comply with what the court says to do, then you get out.”
Salvaggio paid $40,000 to have work done on his home after Hurricane Ian. However, the work was never completed, and Salvaggio never saw his money again.
“They were promising via text message, they were going to refund $28,000 and some change,” said Goodman. “He really got, you know, taken by them.”
Two documents, acting as a warrant for a civil lawsuit, were written up right before the new year. They ask for a “purge,” including fact information sheets from the Beebes and their business, E-N-B-S Painting and More.
Goodman said he has made this request repeatedly, but the Beebes have not responded, leading to possible jail time.
“This is like not a surprise to them,” said Goodman. “They were copied both in mail and emails on what was required of them since we got judgment in July.”
It’s one thing to claim a lack of funds, Goodman explained, but it’s another to ignore both him and the court, thinking that the rules don’t apply.
Initially, the Beebes owed Salvaggio $40,000, but now, with added legal fees, the amount has grown to about $70,000.