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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SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA)— A Florida mental health counselor walked into a surprising number of bats inside her office last week.
“We had about 50 bats. In the toilet, in the sink. All over,” Shaltala Boss, a licensed mental health counselor, said.
Boss has since moved her office due to maternity season, when it is illegal to exclude or remove bats from April 16 to August 14, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“Any form of eviction during this time period will result in baby bats being trapped along with adult bats that may not have emerged. Trapped bats will attempt to escape and may end up in the living space of buildings,” FWC said.
Video provided by Boss showed a bat lying on the ground.
“You definitely didn’t want to come to counseling that day,” Boss said.
Boss has since moved to another location and said it is bat-free.
“Most bats will avoid humans at all costs and use natural roosting structures for shelter during the day. However, bats sometimes find their way into our homes and structures, which can present a health hazard,” FWC said.
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds is trailing Democratic candidate David Jolly in the race to become Florida’s next governor, according to a new poll from Change Research, a Democratic-aligned polling firm.
The survey could be an encouraging sign for Florida Democrats, who have not won a statewide election since 2018 and have struggled as the state shifted steadily toward Republicans in recent election cycles.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is term-limited and cannot seek reelection in 2026, won a second term by nearly 20 percentage points in 2022, while Republicans have expanded their voter registration advantage and maintained control of every statewide elected office.
Still, some recent polling has suggested the push to replace DeSantis could be a bit more competitive than many have expected.
President Donald Trump last month again vocalized his support for Donalds, saying in part, “I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” The president added, “Byron Donalds will be a truly Great and Powerful Governor for Florida, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
Trump won the Sunshine State by 13 points in 2024 against then-Vice President Kamala Harris and no Democrat has won the Florida governorship in more than 20 years.
When reached for comment regarding the new poll, Donalds’ campaign referred Newsweek to the X post of Gates McGavick, the team’s communications director. McGavick said in reaction to the poll, “I hear Change Research also sells tremendous ocean front property in Arizona.”
The campaign also referred Newsweek to Ryan Smith’s post on X, while saying he is also affiliated with the campaign. Smith said, “This is a push poll by Democrats for Democrats. The truth is, Florida Democrats will be crying in their kombucha on November 3 when @ByronDonalds is elected governor.”
What To Know
The Change Research survey found Jolly, a former Republican congressman who switched parties and entered the race as a Democrat, leading Donalds in a hypothetical general-election matchup.
Jolly has centered his campaign on affordability issues surrounding insurance costs, housing and healthcare, while Donalds has campaigned as a conservative successor who will attempt to enact Trump’s agenda and fight illegal immigration.
According to the poll, Jolly leads Donalds 47 percent to 42 percent and has a slightly larger margin among likely voters with 49 percent compared to 43 percent.
The poll surveyed 1,273 registered voters of which 1,015 said they will likely vote in the 2026 midterm election. The survey’s margin of error is 2.8 percent.
Also in the poll, Jolly garners 94 percent support from Democrats compared to Donalds’ 77 percent among Republicans.
What Other Polls Show
Another recent Change Research poll shows Jolly leading Donalds 46 percent to 42 percent. The poll was taken from May 13 to May 16 among 2,070 registered voters, of whom 1,593 say they will likely vote in the midterm election. The poll has a margin of error of 2.3 percent.
In a survey at the end of March by Emerson College Polling, Donalds landed 44 percent of the vote compared to Jolly’s 39 percent. The poll shows that 17 percent are undecided. It was taken from March 29 to March 31 among 1,125 likely voters and has a margin of error of 2.8 percent.
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A recent viral trend — dubbed the “Door Kick Challenge” — has been causing issues as of late in Central Florida.
The challenge involves teens covering their faces, kicking or pounding stranger’s front door when it’s dark outside, and sprinting off into the night.
[WATCH: FCSO releases footage of ‘Door Kick Challenge’ in action]
But on Wednesday, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly warned there could be deadly consequences.
According to the sheriff’s office, these pranks may come across as an attempted home invasion for some, and with Florida being a “Stand Your Ground” state, neighbors have the right to treat it as such.
[ Central Florida deputy consoles 12-year-old accused in door-kicking incident]
“Parents, keep an eye on your children. We know they want to have fun, but they are taking huge risks when they mask up and kick strangers’ doors,” Staly said. “Be the sheriff of your own home, talk to your kids, know their friends, and make sure they know the risks associated with doing what the internet tells them to do.”
But in a release, the sheriff’s office delivered the message in a “language” that teens may better understand:
“This door kick ‘challenge’ is not the side quest you think it is.
It’s trendslop, pure brain rot straight off the FYP. You think you’re the alpha chad of the cul-de-sac? Nah bruh, you’re one hoodie masked-up sprint away from priors. The kind of rap that gets you cancelled before you ever stack any clout. Zero drip in our jail’s barbershop-looking mugshots.
Okay, real talk. Florida is a Stand Your Ground state. A NPC wakes up to two randos kicking their door at 1 a.m. wearing sheisties — they don’t see a flex, they get the ick, and think your side quest is a home invasion. And no cap, you’ll get capped.
Taking an L on TikTok? Recoverable. Taking a round to the chest? There’s no respawn.
So skip this one, chief. Find clout elsewhere.”
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office
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