Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues. This blog will consist of information describing the various forms of Home Equity Theft and links to news reports & other informational sources from throughout the country about the victims of Home Equity Theft and what government authorities and others are doing about it.
Tuesday, February 09, 2016
Management Agent Faces Pinch For Allegedly Running Scheme That Fleeced Florida Condo HOA Of $275K
In Palm Bay, Florida, Florida Today reports:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says it has arrested and charged a Palm Bay man with setting up a scheme that defrauded customers of $275,000 between August 2010 and June 2014.
Guillermo Alonso, 53, was the former head and property manager of the Palm Bay Clubs Condominiums Home Owners Association and the investigation began in February 2015 when the Palm Bay Police Department asked them to look into complaints from the current HOA president and treasurer about money that Alonso had spent.
FDLE says an investigation shows that Alonso used HOA money for his benefit, including for renovations to his property and fast food purchases. They also say Alonso withdrew funds from the account to pay for projects that weren't completed.
They also say that Alonso hired a company he owned, Klean Power Electric, Inc., to manage the property with multiple checks transferred from the business account to his personal one, with no work able to be verified.
He also maintained control of the PBCC checkbook. They add that he had an ATM card issued to him and he changed the mailing address for statements to his home so that he would be the only one to see what he purchased or withdrew.
Alonso was charged with scheme to defraud under false pretenses of greater than $50,000.
He was booked into the Brevard County Jail on $250,000 bond.
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