Florida
‘Total control:’ $1 million Florida condo scandal sparks manhunt, fee spikes for residents
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A former condo president in New Smyrna Beach has been accused of taking about $1 million from a condo association, leading to huge fee hikes for residents, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
In a news release, deputies said that an investigation into the theft began after the sheriff’s office received complaints in April 2024 from residents at the Smyrna Beach Club condo complex.
Around that time, residents alleged that the condo association president and manager — Julius Bruggeman, 76 — was embezzling funds from the association’s bank accounts.
Investigators said they found evidence to confirm these suspicions, so detectives searched the condo association’s office and Bruggeman’s condo unit, where he had lived for over a decade.
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During their search, detectives found several documents from the office, but Bruggeman’s unit was “completely empty,” as he’d reportedly moved out just a few days earlier and “seemed to be in a hurry,” the release shows.
“During a 7-month investigation, evidence was uncovered that showed Bruggeman had almost total control over the association’s finances,” the release reads. “He installed friends on the association board and authorized the purchase of health care policies for them with association funds.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the complex is home to around 150 condo units, and the association’s bank accounts carried a monthly balance of over $700,000 — money that Bruggeman used as if they were his own.
Beyond the roughly $70,000 salary that he paid himself, Bruggeman also spent around $800 – $1,000 each month on himself, buying products like gourmet coffee, health supplements, designer sneakers and shirts, therapeutic socks, sweatpants and acne cream, investigators announced.
In addition, deputies said Bruggeman crafted a scam where he would use association funds to buy materials to repair individually owned units, or flat-screen TVs and kitchen appliances for unit owners.
“After repairs were completed or items were delivered, Bruggeman would collect payment, but never reimbursed the association for the expenses — he kept the money for himself,” the release continues.
In all, deputies said they discovered that Bruggeman may have stolen or misappropriated around $1 million over the course of a decade, though due to statutes of limitations and the inability to recover documentation from previous years, charges are only possible for crimes committed within the last three years.
Deputies added that a financial audit was performed after Bruggeman’s “hasty departure,” and budget shortfalls tied directly to his activities caused all owners’ monthly association fees to double.
“During the investigation, board members whose health care was paid for by Bruggeman with association funds came forward and returned the money,” detectives said. “The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation fined the Association $20,000 for allowing mismanagement to occur.”
Investigators said that Bruggeman may be in the Portland, Oregon, area, although his exact whereabouts are unknown.
He faces charges of grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and racketeering.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact detectives at 386-860-7030.
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Gisele Bündchen and her boyfriend, Joaquim Valente, soaked up the sun during a jet skiing date in Florida.
The model and the MMA athlete appeared in good spirits while on the water near their home in Surfside on Saturday.
They both stayed close to each other and sported life vests.
Bündchen, 35, appeared to be wearing a white one-piece bathing suit underneath her vest.
She accessorized with sunglasses and styled her hair in a ponytail.
As for Valente, he sported black swim trunks.
The couple, who have been romantically linked since 2023, enjoyed some quality time together after welcoming a son together in February.
While Bündchen and Valente have shied away from revealing too much about their infant, they recently took him out on a boat ride in September.
At the time, the former Victoria’s Secret model was seen cradling her son while her beau took the wheel.
Valente then adorably held onto their 10-month-old, as Bündchen watched in awe.
The health guru also shared a rare glimpse of her son alongside her 16-year-old son, Benjamin, in October.
The teenager adorably held onto his little brother while playing the piano.
Bündchen shares Benjamin and her daughter Vivian, 13, with her ex-husband, Tom Brady.
The exes were wed from 2009 to 2022.
The former NFL star also shares an 18-year-old son, Jack, with his ex Bridget Moynahan.
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) football state championships continued last night down in Miami at Pitbull Stadium as the Raines Vikings upset the Northwestern Bulls for the the Class 3A state championship, provind the most exciting game of the week thus far. Another rematch from last year’s finals pits the American Heritage Patriots versus the Jones Tigers for the Class 4A state championship this afternoon. We preview the sixth of seven FHSAA state championship games as teams begin being crowned as champions of their classifications.
How to Watch American Heritage vs. Jones in Florida 4A state championship game
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pitbull Stadium in Miami, Fla.
TV Channel: NFHS Network
American Heritage Players to Watch
QB Leon Strawder: Strawder is making his second consecutive appearance in a state championship game, this time with a different team, however. The senior has thrown for 2,052 yards and 19 touchdowns.
WR Jamar Denson: Of the star-studded wide receiving corps for American Heritage, its Denson who has been Mr. Reliable thus far this season. Throughout the course of the season, Denson has hauled in 69 passes for 991 yards and 15 touchdowns.
WR Jeffar Jean-Noel: The Georgia Tech commit has been the second option behind Denson on offense, with Jean-Noel catching 57 passes for 795 yards and six touchdowns.
LB Dylan Bennett: Anchoring the front seven of the Patriots’ defense is the senior linebacker, who currently leads the team with 61 total tackles, 17 them going for a loss and five sacks.
Jones Players to Watch
QB Dereon Coleman: The Miami signee is as calm as they come in the pocket as the senior quarterback has thrown for 2,749 yards, 28 touchdowns and only three picks this Florida high school football season.
WR Larry Miles: Coleman’s favorite target to throw to is the Nebraska signee as the senior looks to end his high school career with a state crown. Miles has caught 88 passes for 1,111 and 10 touchdowns.
OL Xavier Payne: The 6-foot-7, 275-pound Colorado offensive tackle signee will have the job of making sure Coleman stands upright throughout the afternoon against American Heritage’s pass rush.
EDGE Frederick Ards: The 2027 four-star EDGE rusher for the Tigers has been superb, racking up 73 tackles, 13 for loss and 11 sacks.
Where to Watch the Florida Class 4A state championship on livestream:
You can watch the American Heritage Patriots take on the Jones Tigers starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on NFHS Network.
For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.
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