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Crime

    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • October 6, 2026
Latest sentencing delay may be last for former Oakes Farm executive

Steven A. Veneziano Jr., who has been accused in a lawsuit of stealing millions of dollars from his former employers, is facing decades in prison in a case that involves COVID fraud.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • October 2, 2026
164 slot machines seized in Sarasota County illegal gambling bust

The slot machines were taken from three locations in Englewood, officials say.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • September 29, 2026
Hillsborough man sentenced to 12 years in prison for $3M national payroll firm scam

A federal judge ordered Crispian Atkins, 52, of Valrico, to pay more than $3 million in restitution for a scheme involving bogus IT contracts and fraudulent timesheets.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 29, 2026
Florida AG: Naples firm duped consumers post Hurricane Ian out of at least $1M

Evolve Construction, Evolve Construction & Restoration and six executives are said to have used deceptive and unconscionable practices to “prey on Florida consumers.”

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 25, 2026
Lakewood Ranch bookkeeper sentenced for fraud, larceny

A Manatee County woman caused a loss of more than $46,000 to her employer in Sarasota County, according to court documents.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 17, 2026
Former Oakes Farm exec facing decades in prison asks for sentencing delay — again

Steven A. Veneziano Jr., who pleaded guilty to COVID relief fraud, is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 26 after previous delays.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 10, 2026
Legal troubles mount as REIT founders indicted for stealing from employees

Already facing an SEC lawsuit and state investigation, the founders of RAD Diversified REIT have been charged with raiding employee benefit programs.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • September 8, 2026
Tampa tech CEO, Forbes 30 Under 30 winner, to plead guilty to $8M scam

Federal court records show Meade Lewis of mIQroTech will plead guilty next month and faces 20 years in prison for providing misleading information to investors.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 1, 2026
76 slot machines seized in Sarasota County illegal gambling raid

Deputies searched two businesses suspected of illegal gambling on Lockwood Ridge Road.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • August 21, 2026
Tampa OnlyFans creator gets one year in prison for tax fraud

Kylie Perez earned more than $5.4 million through social media accounts but failed to pay at least $1.5 million in federal taxes, prosecutors said.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 14, 2026
North Manatee Soccer Club's ex-treasurer charged in $146K fraud scheme

The treasurer of the youth soccer club was removed from her position following her arrest, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • August 3, 2026
Former Sarasota private jet service CEO seeks new trial, cites clerk misconduct

Patrick Britton-Harr seeks to toss a jury's guilty verdict after it was learned a deputy court clerk in Baltimore may have violated rules.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • July 31, 2026
SEC accuses Port Richey real estate investment trust of $152M fraud scheme

Federal regulators allege RAD Diversified REIT misled more than 5,500 investors about its finances while its founders diverted nearly $5 million for personal expenses, including private jets and luxury purchases.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • July 8, 2026
Georgia woman in Lee County prison for racketeering in retail fraud scheme

The woman pleaded no contest for taking part in a ring that defrauded the retail parent of T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • July 7, 2026
Naples man who swindled elderly couple sentenced to 4 years

The man posed as a contractor following Hurricane Ian and collected money from the couple for repairs even after their house was sold and the woman moved into assisted living.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
1 2 3 4 5 »
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