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Crime

    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 30, 2026
66 slot machines seized, one charged in Venice illegal gambling bust

The investigation into 41 Social Club in Venice netted an arrest, cash and dozens of slot machines, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • January 15, 2026
Tampa man sentenced to federal prison for $500K in COVID loan fraud

Terrance Bradford, 47, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and a forfeiture order of $533,648.52 after pleading guilty to eight counts of wire fraud.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • December 15, 2025
3 Polk County residents charged in $2M COVID fraud case

The three are among a dozen people, mostly from Central Florida, accused by the Department of Justice of filing false COVID relief applications with the Small Business Administration.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • November 24, 2025
Tampa men charged with smuggling AI technology to China

Two Chinese nationals and two U.S. citizens were arrested after illegally sending sophisticated computer equipment to China under the guise of a Tampa-based real estate company.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 23, 2025
Polk Realtors association ex-CEO charged with $81K theft from group

The East Polk County Association of Realtors terminated Jennifer Garula-Mers in 2024.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • November 20, 2025
Naples construction firm leader behind $4.2M payroll scam sent to prison

The scheme involved 'impeding or impairing' the IRS' ability to calculate and collect taxes.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 16, 2025
Sarasota Little League treasurer charged with theft of more than $200,000

The Sarasota league president tells investigators that vendors first reported debts in July.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • November 11, 2025
Naples farm operation sues former exec, alleges he stole $12.5M

Oakes Farms contends Steven A. Veneziano Jr. went to bought a Lamborghini, among other purchases, off ill-gotten gains. Veneziano also faces prison for his role in a $5 million Covid fraud case.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 23, 2025
Lee couple charged in armed robbery spree at businesses in four counties

Federal prosecutors say two people were charged in a series of commercial robberies, after which they posted video of themselves with stacks of cash.

  • Charlotte–Lee–Collier
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 16, 2025
Lakeland man sentenced to prison for bank fraud

After opening bank accounts for his two Tampa businesses, a Lakeland man defrauded multiple area financial institutions of nearly $200,000, according to his plea agreement.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • September 4, 2025
Sarasota Sheriff: 2 charged, 117 slot machines seized in gambling bust

An investigation at Magic Arcade netted two arrests and prompted Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • August 27, 2025
Tampa church leader arrested in forced labor, money laundering case

David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, were arrested Wednesday on a ten-count indictment. Brannon is connected to a Tampa residential property worth nearly $10 million.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • August 21, 2025
Tampa OnlyFans content creator who made $5.4M charged with tax evasion

Kylie Leia Perez, 30, earned more than $5.4 million in four years on the social media platform OnlyFans. Now she owes the IRS at least $1.69 million in back taxes.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 18, 2025
Bankrupt Sarasota business owner faces 2 felony charges

The owner of Sash & Sill, which filed for bankruptcy in 2024, has been criminally charged in Charlotte County.

  • Manatee-Sarasota
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • August 13, 2025
Tampa businessman sentenced to federal prison for tax fraud

Brian Davison, the co-founder and former CEO of a Tampa real estate investment firm, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for tax fraud.

  • Tampa Bay-Lakeland
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
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