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Article
Courtesy of The Space Coast Daily
Published
September 30, 2013
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – An investigation by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit determined that a former treasurer of the Marsh Harbor Homeowner’s Association in Merritt Island stole funds from the account from 2009 to 2012.
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Agents of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit arrested 60-year-old Bruce David Sonnenberg after the issuance of an arrest warrant for Money Laundering, Scheming to Defraud, Grand Theft and five counts of Unemployment Compensation Fraud.
According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Department, agents arrested 60-year-old Bruce David
Sonnenberg, of 1582 Drury Court, St. Augustine, Florida, in St. John’s County after the issuance of an arrest warrant for Money Laundering, Scheming to Defraud, Grand Theft and five counts of Unemployment Compensation Fraud.
Sonnenberg is currently being held in the St. John’s County Jail on a bond of $50,000
pending extradition. The investigation was
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Agents of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit arrested 60-year-old Bruce David Sonnenberg after the issuance of an arrest warrant for Money Laundering, Scheming to Defraud, Grand Theft and five counts of Unemployment Compensation Fraud. (BCSO image)
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initiated when information was received from the President of the Marsh Harbor Homeowner’s Association, who suspected that the Treasurer, Bruce
Sonnenberg, had been mishandling the HOA account and possibly stealing funds.
SUSPECT OWNED SEVERAL AREA BUSINESSES
The ensuing investigation determined Sonnenberg had been stealing funds ($22,000) from the Marsh Harbor HOA account. Sonnenberg moved the stolen money through several different accounts, involving different banking institutions in an attempt to conceal the unlawful activity. The money was traced through Sonnenberg’s personal checking accounts and companies that he owned, including Start Car Company, Son Coast Car Wash and Son Coast Hospitality.
“This type of case is exactly what our newly created Economic Crimes Unit was designed for. Our team works daily to make sure that anyone who targets our citizens with fraud or theft goes straight to jail with every charge possible,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
During the same time frame, Sonnenberg applied and was receiving unemployment compensation benefits while he was still receiving documented income. A financial analysis conducted by a BCSO Certified Fraud Examiner determined Sonnenberg received over $20,000 in unemployment benefits, from 2010 – 2013.
“This type of case is exactly what our newly created Economic Crimes Unit was designed for. Our team works daily to make sure that anyone who targets our citizens with fraud or theft goes straight to jail with every charge possible,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
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