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Article
Courtesy of The Orlando Sentinel By Arelis R. Hernández Published
February 14, 2013
A Volusia County Sheriff's deputy was arrested Wednesday, accused of stealing from his homeowner's association while serving as the president for the past seven years, Port Orange Police said.
Lt. Brian Nardiello, 39, was taken into custody at his home and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail. He has been suspended from his position, said Gary Davidson, a sheriff's office spokesman.
Port Orange Police investigators said Nardiello stole more than $8,000 from the Trailwood Townhomes Homeowners Association while presiding over renovations inside the community.
According to the arrest affidavit, Nardiello's fellow residents suspected him of submitting fraudulent receipts to the association to be reimbursed for expenses.
The treasurer told investigators Nardiello had been paying for the community repairs and contract service out of his own pocket because he said it was more convenient and wanted to" invest in the community."
But when he asked for compensation, residents questioned it. When they began to mine the records, they went missing. Only three people had a key to the storage area where they are kept.
Police detectives reviewed Nardiello's bank statements, checks and other financial records, concluding that he was asking for money for work done in the units and for his own personal benefit.
His unit on Willow Trail Run had a new roof and an addition installed in the period of time he is suspected of misappropriating the association's funds.
Davidson said the sheriff's office is doing its own internal investigation into the charges against Nardiello. He has been a deputy sheriff since 2002.
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