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Crime

    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • June 1, 2026
Tampa real estate investor indicted for mortgage fraud on $1.6M home

Brandon Dutch Mendenhall, of RAD Diversified REIT, faces up to 20 years in federal prison and the forfeiture of his home.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 27, 2026
Naples exec in high-profile fraud case says his politically-active boss told him to steal

Steven Veneziano claims in court papers that, despite accusations, while working for Oakes Farms, he committed offenses at the behest of Alfie Oakes.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 26, 2026
Tampa tech CEO, founder indicted for defrauding investors out of $7M

Meade Lewis of mIQroTech was released Tuesday after pleading not guilty to five counts of wire fraud.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • May 5, 2026
Pinellas CPA, attorney indicted in nearly $900K embezzlement case

Melissia Gathreaux, 56, has been charged with six counts of wire fraud.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 14, 2026
Naples tax preparer working in barbershop pleads guilty to defrauding IRS

The man faces time in federal prison for preparing and filing false tax returns.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • April 7, 2026
Naples man charged with defrauding investors of $3.7M in overseas scam

The victims include two unamed local business owners who handed over hundreds of thousands after being promised the money would be used to access money held internationally.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • March 31, 2026
Naples man faces decades in prison for cheating elderly woman

A phony contractor pleaded guilty in federal court to scamming the woman out of more than $1.2 million.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 31, 2026
Sheriff: Sarasota gambling probe nets 66 slot machines, two arrests

Spin 24/7 Social Club was shut down after a monthslong investigation into illegal gambling, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • March 11, 2026
Central Florida man charged with stealing $600K worth of onions, potatoes

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest and indictment of the 39-year old man who is accused of diverting produce shipments without payment.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • March 10, 2026
Sentencing delayed for former Oakes Farms exec working with feds

Steven Veneziano, who is facing 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to COVID relief fraud, was scheduled to be sentenced March 23.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 5, 2026
Sarasota lab to pay $980K over kickback, false claims allegations

The laboratory paid a marketing service for referrals of Medicare beneficiaries, prosecutors say.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • March 3, 2026
AeroVanti CEO moves to dismiss indictment in $14M fraud case

Patrick Britton-Harr, founder of the Sarasota private jet company, says the grand jury was misled when presented with the case.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • March 2, 2026
Tampa car dealer sentenced for defrauding banks, stealing $470K Rolls-Royce

The dealer's brazen scheme involved falsified loan applications and an attempt to ship the Rolls-Royce to Dubai, court documents say.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 13, 2026
AeroVanti's Britton-Harr looks to squash evidence as May trial approaches

The twice-indicted Sarasota businessman is awaiting trial in Maryland with a new baby and while, prosecutors say, running a new private jet business.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 5, 2026
Lakeland man to pay $12.9M, go to prison for filing 450 fake tax returns

The tax preparer was sentenced to federal prison for falsifying tax returns and tax documents to win 318 clients — and himself — hefty refunds.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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