AriZona Iced Tea co-founder disputes home ownership with former employee

John Ferolito, co-founder of AriZona Iced Tea, is engaged in a legal battle with his former personal assistant and massage therapist, Fayssanya “Fay” Pratt, over a residence in Coral Springs, Florida.

Pratt claims Ferolito promised her ownership of the four-bedroom house after flooding damaged her previous home in 2017. She alleges she has spent nearly $100,000 on property taxes, repairs, and improvements based on this promise. Pratt cites a recorded message stating, “We will sign the house over to you,” as evidence of the agreement.

Ferolito denies any promise of ownership, maintaining that the property was an investment and that Pratt was permitted to live there only as long as she was employed by him. His legal team has presented cashier’s checks from Pratt marked as “rent” to argue that she was a tenant rather than a future owner.

A summary-judgment hearing is scheduled for November 23 to address Ferolito’s motion to remove Pratt from the property, which is currently estimated to be worth approximately $820,000.