Connect with us

Florida

New details in nearly $200,000 Florida embezzlement case

Published

on

New details in nearly 0,000 Florida embezzlement case


Twenty checks were recorded paid to “Farmer and Irwin,” but Martin County Sheriff’s investigators reported the $85,410 in payments actually went to Alexandra Gonzalez and were used for personal expenses, including travel and retail purchases.

The details are in court records supporting the April 9 arrest of Gonzalez, 46, who is accused of embezzling nearly $200,000 in total from The Dune of Hutchinson Island Condominium Association and the Whitemarsh Reserve Homeowners Association.

Gonzalez, identified as a community association manager who worked for a property management company, was held April 10 in the Martin County jail on 124 charges with more than $1.2 million bond, records show.

Advertisement

Sheriff’s officials in February began investigating after association representatives reported the suspected fraudulent or theft activity, which at Dune of Hutchinson Island occurred beginning in October 2025 and at Whitmarsh Reserve started in February 2025, according to statements in records.

In the Dune of Hutchinson Island case, the owner of the property management company that employed Gonzalez told sheriff’s officials that Gonzalez “exploited the system by creating and altering vendor profiles, specifically a vendor identified as ‘Farmer and Irwin,’ to conceal fraudulent transactions,” according to records.

Checks — 20 in total representing $85,410 — recorded as payments to Farmer and Irwin corresponded to checks issued to Gonzalez, according to statements in records. The checks had a forged signature of a Dune of Hutchinson Island association vice president.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, in the Whitemarsh Reserve case, investigators found 39 checks totaling $111,980 fraudulently issued to Gonzalez. Investigators found Gonzalez “issued fraudulent checks payable to herself, and made corresponding false entries in the association’s accounting system to conceal those transactions…,” records show.

Investigators reported records showed the money was used for personal expenses, including travel, cosmetic and medical procedures and retail purchases.

In speaking with investigators, Gonzalez expressed regret and said she’d be willing to repay the amounts “to avoid legal consequences.”

Advertisement

Gonzalez ultimately reported going through financial challenges during the time when the checks were issued.

“When asked if her financial situation was the reason she issued checks to herself, Gonzalez admitted that it was,” records show.

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.





Source link

Advertisement

Florida

Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours

Published

on

Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours


A massive wildfire in Putnam County in northern Florida left Amtrak passengers stranded on a train for more than 24 hours.

One train heading to New York City was forced to turn around, arriving back in Miami Monday night, including one passenger who said he had been on that train for about 38 hours.

He says he and other passengers were left uncertain about what was going on.

“Angry, confused, uncertain, in the dark,” said John Reardon.

Advertisement

Reardon, who lives in New York City, says he boarded the train around 7 a.m. Sunday to go back home. He said around 3 p.m. Sunday, the train stopped near Jacksonville.

“Finally, after about 5 hours, they said we’re not going to New York, we’re going back to Miami,” Reardon said. “One stop at a time.”

Amtrak said for the safety of its passengers, the train couldn’t continue going north because of the fire.

“Amtrak sends a notification to the phone saying, ‘Hey, there’s an issue with the wildfire, it’s too close to the railway,’” said passenger Katrinia Wheeler.

Multiple crews are battling multiple fires in two Florida counties, leaving at least 3,000 acres burned. 

Advertisement

“I saw that there was a lot of smoke coming from the woods, and then I saw the fire trucks and emergency services,” Wheeler said.

The train that left Miami at 7 a.m. on Sunday returned around 9 p.m. on Monday, leaving passengers frustrated.

Amtrak corporate says they made the decision out of safety for their customers and said customers would receive full refunds and vouchers.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

Florida Lottery Fantasy 5, Cash Pop results for April 19, 2026

Published

on

Florida Lottery Fantasy 5, Cash Pop results for April 19, 2026


The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.

Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 06-09-19-34-35

Advertisement

Evening: 08-09-12-25-31

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing

Morning: 03

Matinee: 08

Afternoon: 04

Advertisement

Evening: 01

Late Night: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

play

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Advertisement

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 4-0, FB: 3

Evening: 0-6, FB: 6

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 2-9-1, FB: 3

Advertisement

Evening: 3-7-0, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 9-7-8-0, FB: 3

Evening: 3-6-7-8, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 19 drawing

Midday: 3-9-3-5-1, FB: 3

Evening: 1-3-1-8-7, FB: 6

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Advertisement

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
  • Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
  • Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

  • Full name
  • City of residence
  • Game won
  • Date won
  • Amount won
  • Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
  • Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Continue Reading

Florida

South Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open

Published

on

South Florida faith leaders call for Miami mental health center to finally open


On Monday, more than 800 faith leaders and community activists from across South Florida, crowded into the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Miami to demand the Miami Dade County Commission move forward with opening the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery.

“Are we OK with being told to wait when lives are on the line?” said Quanda Dupree, of the St. Peters Missionary Baptist Church. “Or do we believe real accountability means keeping your word? Even when things aren’t guaranteed. We believe our communities deserve more than a delayed response. We deserve action.”

The center – which was promised to voters back in 2004 – would take mentally ill individuals out of the jail and move them into a place where they can receive comprehensive treatment and support. The county has spent more than $50 million renovating the building and two years ago, a pair of non-profit groups were selected to operate the facility while numerous local groups and agencies have pledged their support, including the Homeless Trust. Funding for the first two to three years of the center is already in place.

And yet, the center remains empty – not helping anyone.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending