Sarasota man charged in $3M construction fraud scheme

A Sarasota man has been charged in what police say is a multi-county construction scheme that defrauded 13 victims of more than $3 million. In connection with his arrest, authorities report they found 64 firearms and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition that belonged to him.

Seth Andrew Bloom, 33, is charged with the following, according to the probable cause affidavit: scheme to defraud; misapplication of construction funds; grand theft more than $100,000; wire fraud; and forgery.

When officials executed a search warrant, they say they found 64 firearms, including 14 handguns and 50 rifles/long guns, as well as more than 10,400 rounds of ammunition in more than 14 different calibers, resulting in weapons charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. They also say they found computers, business records and additional evidence linked to the fraud. According to the probable cause affidavit, 56 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition were found at Bloom's office at 2 N. Tamiami Trail, Suite 314.