Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concernsStudents benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Memorial celebrates the life of John Passidomo Hundreds of friends and family gathered for a memorial at Baker Park in Naples.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
FDLE Port Authority Fraud arrests (FDLE) Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement has arrested nine suspects charged with defrauding Lee County Port Authority out of more than $700,000 in a janitorial contracting scheme. They are accused of submitting fraudulent invoices to the Port Authority. The suspects have been arrested on multiple charges, including fraud, racketeering, and time card fraud. Interim Port Authority director, Ben Siegel, said they are going to try their best to get some of it back. “We will be pursuing any recourse that we can to,” Siegel said, “obviously, to recoup some of that money.” One woman, Kim E. Orminston, 62, of Sanibel, is still at large. She is charged with RICO conspiracy and organized fraud and is listed as a ghost employee. Those arrested are as follows: Timothy Cook, 72, of Lehigh Acres [Part-time employee] 16 charges – racketeering violation and time card fraud Solomon Cokes, 82, of Estero [Shift supervisor] charged with RICO conspiracy and organized fraud Dario Zuljani, 70, of Cape Coral [Ghost employee] charged with RICO conspiracy and organized fraud Thomas Brennan, 71, of Fort Myers [Site manager] 10 charges – racketeering, fraud, public servant conceal/destroy/alter of doc, money laundering and larceny/grand theft Jeffery Ashby, 58, of Cape Coral [Ghost employee] charged with RICO conspiracy and organized fraud Thomas P. Quinn, 82, of Fort Myers [Ghost employee] 19 charges – racketeering and fraud Debra A. Hill, 43, of Lehigh Acres [Ghost employee] charged with RICO conspiracy and organized fraud Joseph S. Sucharzewski, 69, of Key West [Ghost employee] charged with RICO conspiracy and organized fraud Harry E. Rodda, Jr., 49, of Fort Myers [Ghost employee] charged with RICO conspiracy and organized fraud The investigation began back in April 2018 after an anonymous complaint was submitted to the Lee County Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller Inspector General’s Office. Those allegations were forwarded to the Office of the State Attorney, Twentieth Judicial Circut, and the referred to FDLE. Agents found that Brennan, the Triangle Services of Florida, Inc. site manager at Lee County Port Authority, falsified timesheets submitted to the port authority, charging them for hours never worked. He also turned in sheets for “ghost employees” who were never actually employed by Triangle Services, which provides janitorial services for the Lee County Port Authority. To avoid suspicion, Brennan added those employees to the overnight shift. Timesheets were submitted to Cokes, the overnight shift supervisor, and then approved and submitted for payment. In addition, Cook, a part-time employee, submitted an additional timesheet using the name of a family member to earn extra cash. Ghost employees received payroll checks directly into their personal bank accounts then funneled portions of that money back to Brennan. Prior to receiving the initial allegations, the Inspector General’s Office announced an audit of Triangle Services’ contract in January 2018. Following the announcement, Brennan ordered all on-site timecards destroyed in an attempt to conceal his crime. The Office of the State Attorney, Twentieth Judicial Circuit will prosecute this case. WATCH THE NEWS CONFERENCE Blindsided and shocked Submit Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.