PORT CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit is investigating the finances of Charlotte condominiums for criminal embezzlement.
Chelsea House and the residents in the other nine buildings -- which are called houses -- that make up Charlotte Square discovered money missing from their associations' accounts -- more than $143,000 from Chelsea House alone. Residents allege the checks were inappropriately written, cashed or deposited into other accounts by Stacey Herrin Tuck, a former manager who has since been dismissed by Star Hospitality Management.
The 34-year-old Tuck, known by her maiden name Tuck among residents, served as Charlotte Square's manager for 14 years, according to some residents.
According to a sheriff's incident report, dated Sept. 10, Gail Mohrbacher, a new treasurer for the Chelsea House association, told deputies she noticed the association's June and August bank statements weren't balancing. She presented deputies with copies of checks issued by Tuck.
The sheriff's report also stated deputies were able to reach Tuck by phone at "an unknown location in Wauchula," in Hardee County. According to the report, she did agree to meet with deputies.
The case has since been taken over by the Economic Crimes Unit.
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