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Crime

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 7, 2026
Sarasota Little League treasurer sentenced to 1 year in $175K theft case

The 35-year-old woman was ordered to make lump-sum payment then monthly payments totaling $176,000.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • July 6, 2026
Manatee County man gets prison for $2.4 million tax evasion scheme

A federal judge has sentenced the man to two years in prison, supervised release and ordered him to repay money owed to IRS.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 26, 2026
Over $126M in Tampa Bay health fraud alleged amid federal crackdown

The alleged schemes involve Sarasota, Ellenton, Apollo Beach, Tampa, Bradenton and Pasco residents now charged in connection with fraud.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • June 11, 2026
August sentencing date set for convicted Sarasota private jet service founder

Patrick Britton-Harr, who is facing 120 years in federal prison, is free as he awaits a judge's judgement and a second trial.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • June 8, 2026
Former Oakes Farms exec’s sentencing delayed again

Steven A. Veneziano Jr., who is facing decades in federal prison, is also involved in a lawsuit where he claims to have committed crimes on behalf of Naples’ businessman and right-wing gadfly Alfie Oakes.

  • Commercial Real Estate
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • June 5, 2026
The rise and fall of Patrick Britton-Harr: From high-flying entrepreneur to convicted felon

The Justice Department calls the story of Patrick Britton-Harr, who charmed investors and local business watchers while systematically defrauding investors and facing federal investigations, a cautionary tale.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • June 5, 2026
Pennsylvania man convicted of threatening to behead Tampa General CEO

Lawrence Brunn faces up to five years in federal prison for making death threats against Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • June 4, 2026
Sarasota private jet service founder convicted of $15M fraud

A Baltimore jury convicted AeroVanti founder Patrick Britton-Harr on six counts of wire fraud that defrauded investors of $15 million.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 4, 2026
Illegal gambling raids net 334 slot machines in Sarasota-Manatee

Five arcades were raided recently by state and local authorities investigating illegal gambling activity.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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