Accused Mother-Daughter Fraudsters Facing More Than 250 Charges

EUSTIS, Florida—A report of identity theft at a Eustis bank last year launched a seven-month investigation that unraveled a mother-daughter Medicaid fraud scheme that culminated in a search warrant and an arrest earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. In September 2022, Eustis Police Department responded to Wells Fargo, 16949 U.S. Highway 441 after a man reported his identity had been stolen and used to open a bank account. A lengthy investigation revealed the account was used to funnel money to Heather Linette Steverson, 55, and her daughter, Jessica Linette Chechile, 34, for alleged rides they gave to Medicaid […]

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Accused Fraudsters Scam Elderly Man and Sell His Clermont Home, According to Police

CLERMONT, Florida—After a months-long investigation by Clermont Police Department, two men were arrested this week after scamming an elderly man out of his home and selling it late last year. According to a probable cause affidavit, in November 2022, the victim’s niece filed an online complaint with Clermont Police Department stating she believed her uncle was a victim of foreclosure fraud and she found his house was for sale, which was impossible because he is mentally and physically impaired and was admitted to a rehabilitation facility. She also stated she and her husband had power of attorney (POA) over most

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Clermont Woman Accused of Diverting Thousands of Dollars Intended for Her Employer to Herself

CLERMONT, Florida—A woman already convicted of fraud and on federal work release is accused of diverting funds intended for her employer to various money exchange apps, according to a probable cause affidavit. Jenifer Elizabeth Hoffman, 46, of Clermont, misrepresented herself as a partner in K&S Cleaning, the owner of the company told Clermont Police Department in August 2022. She told police Hoffman began working for her in September 2020 as an hourly employee and worked her way up to a marketing and networking associate. In June 2022, the owner discovered Hoffman had been embezzling money since March 2021 by introducing

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Former Store Manager Accused of Extortion, Fraud and Grand Theft Arrested

EUSTIS, Florida—The former manager of a busy gas station was arrested Thursday after a months-long investigation by Eustis Police Department revealed she stole at least $75,000, according to an arrest affidavit. Alicia Marie Winters, 28, is facing three charges including grand theft from a person older than 65, organized fraud and extortion. According to the affidavit, Winters, as the store manager of 7-Eleven, 2002 North State Road 19, Eustis, was responsible for payroll, and she made 46 unauthorized direct deposits totaling $69,508 to herself between November 2020 and Aug. 1, 2022, in addition to four fraudulent employee accounts in the

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