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Crime

  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
  • For Subscribers Only
    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
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
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