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Article
Courtesy of Boca Raton News
By Dale M.
King
Published
February 14, 2007
The
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an “active, open criminal
investigation” of charges that the former president of the Boca Rio Townhome
Association allegedly took nearly a half-million dollars or more from the
association treasury before she was forced out of office.
“It is being investigated by our financial crimes unit,” PBSO spokesman
Sgt. Pete Palenzuela told the Boca Raton News. He said such probes are
“time-consuming and exhaustive” since all financial records must be
ordered or subpoenaed.
Subject of the investigation is Betty Marshall, a 68-year-old grandmother who
held the office of president for three years. Members of the newly
appointed board said they have found $450,000 missing from the treasury, and
other money may also be gone. Those totals are now being checked.
In addition, the new board at the complex on Boca Rio Road west of the city
has filed a complaint with PBSO about the missing money. Board secretary
Randy Gavitt, who took office Jan. 18, said the new members created a timeline
of Marshall’s activities and reported that information to members at a
meeting last week.
The timeline said Marshall became president in December 2003 after the
previous president stepped down amid accusations of wrongdoing brought by
Marshall.
“At this time, Trident Property management was still in control of the
finances until Marshall fired them under the premise of overcharging and lack
of management,” the association statement says.
With her at the helm, the association board said, bills were either unpaid or
paid late. Gavitt said a $900 a month late charge was being assessed on
recent insurance payments.
“Other bills were left unpaid and went to collection or as in one case, to
lien,” said the association board. “The estimated total as of now is
$450,000 in monies not accounted for -- and we have yet to review the fence
account” that is showing a negative balance.
Gavitt also said the association had a debit card which only Marshall could
use. He said the board and the sheriff’s office are both reviewing a list of
charges on that card made at the Hard Rock Casino.
“She was the only one with control of the card,” she said. “But we
don’t have videotape of her using it. It is just circumstantial.”
The newly appointed board secretary said Marshall moved out of her unit at
Boca Rio Townhouses. About a week later, he said, moving trucks came and
cleaned out her furnishings.
Gavitt said residents tried to stop the movers, but were told by police not to
interfere.
Some residents said they think Marshall has moved to a home she owns in
Pennsylvania.
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