Lifestyle Pools must cease all work immediately, the commission said in papers filed Thursday in state district court. Several customers have filed formal complaints with the state attorney general, a spokeswoman said. Customers face having mechanic's liens filed on their homes by unpaid subcontractors.

The Tax Commission had shut down the company on June 27 and locked up its property at 8901 NW 10 for failing to pay some $220,000 in withholding taxes, interest and penalties. It reopened the next week after the owner agreed to a tax payment plan, but failed to make the $10,000 payment due last Sunday, the Tax Commission said.

Owner Mike Zachritz said the company already had closed.

“We've already quit doing business. There's no way we can stay in business. Nobody wants to pay. So we're being forced out of business,” Zachritz said in a brief phone conversation with The Oklahoman.

That's contrary to what customers and a former employee told the paper.

Customer Jeff Hughes said that Todd Zachritz, the owner's son, continued in discussions with him as late as Thursday morning about the incomplete swimming pool at Hughes' home in southeast Oklahoma City. Hughes said Zachritz sought final payment although the pool was not close enough to complete for Lifestyle to draw the last payment for the work.

Hughes said he and his wife, Katherine, contracted with Lifestyle on April 3 for a swimming pool to be complete in six to eight weeks, weather permitting.

“Since that time, we have only had workers on our property for 18 days total,” he said. “We have kept a calendar with days worked, how long they were on site each day, and what work was performed.

Hughes, a Midwest City firefighter, said he knew of numerous other customers saddled with incomplete swimming pools.