A resident has filed a lawsuit against The Villages after an equipment failure at the Lake Miona Recreation Center swimming pool allegedly left him with significant bodily injuries.
Fred Lombardo filed the complaint on Dec. 30, 2025, in the Sumter County Circuit Court. The defendants named in the suit include The Villages Community Development Districts, Holding Company of The Villages, Inc., and The Villages Operating Company.
According to the lawsuit, the incident allegedly occurred on or about Jan. 14, 2024, at the Lake Miona Recreation Center.
Lombardo claims he was utilizing the swimming pool and attempting to remove a lane marker rope to set up a volleyball net when the rope unexpectedly snapped.
The sudden equipment failure caused Lombardo to fall, resulting in what the suit describes as “significant bodily injury.”
The lawsuit alleges that The Villages breached its duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for guests. Specifically, the complaint claims the defendants failed to adequately inspect and maintain the swimming pool equipment or warn Lombardo of the potential hazard.
The complaint further states that the dangerous condition of the equipment was either known to the defendants or had existed for a sufficient length of time that it should have been discovered through reasonable care.
As a result of the incident, Lombardo claims he suffered physical pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and permanent scarring. He is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.