Celebrated entrepreneur behind $20M HVAC firm arrested for fraud

CAPE CORAL — Louis Bruno, who had built his HVAC services company into a nearly $20 million business, has been arrested for fraud. Authorities allege Bruno — and up to nine employees of Bonita Springs-based Bruno Total Home Performance — used high-pressure sales and scare tactics to induce consumers to purchase services and products that were not needed.

Bruno’s schemes, contends the Florida Attorney General’s office in a complaint filed June 2, also involved defrauding consumers in the sale of HVAC services and products and submitting fraudulent consumer loan applications.