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.

“What started as a financial crime investigation led to the removal of a significant number of illegally possessed firearms from our community,” Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche says in a statement. “It’s another example of our department’s commitment to protecting victims and pursuing justice at every level.”

Bloom, described in the affidavit as the owner of Calderoni Trucking LLC doing business as CC Civil, took money from various companies in Florida, authorities allege, and then did not complete the work after getting contracted to do jobs like ground clearing and lot development for residential community projects. In addition, the affidavit alleges he did not pay for construction equipment, materials and subcontract work, and he failed to pay his employees for their labor. The crimes spanned Sarasota, Manatee, Pasco, Hillsborough and St. Lucie counties, according to the affidavit.

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On March 15, police also say Calderoni Trucking LLC was evicted from its office at One Sarasota Tower at 2 N.Tamiami Trail, Suite 314, for failing to pay more than $28,000 in rent owed for the first three months of the year. When executing a search warrant at the building on June 25, police say they saw "in plain view on the walls of the office over 40 assault style rifles, all with suppressors...hanging on three walls."

When authorities subpoenaed Bloom’s financial records, they say they found “almost no construction related expenses” charged on his CC Civil platinum American Express card. According to the affidavit, he spent tens of thousands of dollars in three months in 2024 on jewelry plus thousands on guns and their accessories as well as visits to bars, night clubs, strip clubs and restaurants.

Bloom, who police say is involved in multiple civil cases filed by the companies he is accused of defrauding, was arrested June 25 during a traffic stop on Fruitville Road at Washington Boulevard, according to the Sarasota Police Department.

A judge set bail at more than $3 million for Bloom, who remains in jail as of June 30. His arraignment is scheduled for July 25, records show.

“This fraudster took advantage of Floridians, and this criminal behavior won’t be tolerated,” Attorney General James Uthmeier says in a statement. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our statewide prosecutors and the Sarasota Police Department, a convicted felon is off the streets, a massive illegal arsenal is dismantled, and Florida families are safer for it.”

This story was updated to remove an old address for Bloom officials provided in an affidavit. This story was also updated to reflect where officials say the weapons were recovered.