A former bookkeeper to restaurateur and the late County Commissioner Mike Forster was arrested for allegedly making tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in unauthorized purchases in opposition to his property.
Based on the Monroe County State Legal professional’s Workplace, 71-year previous Susanne Bloy was arrested on Could 17 and charged with a first-degree felony of scheme to defraud. Officers say an in depth investigation revealed she allegedly spent $50,000 for on-line purchases by way of a on line casino gaming app with cash from Forster’s property. In September 2021, Forster handed away following a battle with COVID-19. He served on the Islamorada Village Council for quite a lot of years earlier than working for and being elected as Monroe County commissioner. He was broadly recognized all through the group as “Mangrove Mike” from all his years working Mangrove Mike’s Restaurant in Islamorada.
Within the aftermath, Bloy — his trusted bookkeeper since 1998 — was appointed by relations to handle “Mangrove Mike’s Enterprises” whereas the property underwent probate. Nevertheless, in early 2024, prosecutors say, suspicions of economic misconduct surfaced when Forster’s niece, Paige Keil, found recurring Apple.com expenses that had no connection to the enterprise operations.
The probe, led by Roy Bogue, State Legal professional’s Workplace senior investigator, revealed that from February 2022 by way of September 2023, Bloy allegedly used debit playing cards tied to Mangrove Enterprises Inc. to make repeated on-line purchases by way of a on line casino gaming app, “Money Frenzy – Slots On line casino.” The costs, amounting to over $50,000, had been linked to Apple IDs and units underneath Bloy’s management, together with an iPad later renamed “Susanne’s iPad.”
Via a subpoena issued to First State Financial institution and data obtained from Apple and Yahoo, investigators had been in a position to confirm Bloy was accountable for a whole lot of in-app purchases charged to the Mangrove Enterprises enterprise account. A search warrant for the e-mail account related to these purchases was signed by Choose Luis Garcia on April 2, 2024. Proof confirmed Bloy up to date the Apple ID account, modified the billing info to her title and later tried to delete the account days earlier than the enterprise was transferred to the Keil household.
“This case deeply impacts the Higher Keys,” mentioned State Legal professional Dennis Ward. “Mike Forster devoted his life to public service and generosity. Throughout the darkest days of COVID, his restaurant saved individuals fed and linked. To find that somebody he trusted is accused of stealing from his legacy is totally unacceptable.”
“Because of the persistence and braveness of Paige Keil, who got here ahead with this info, and the tireless work of Investigator Bogue, we had been in a position to observe the misuse of funds and ensure the digital path,” mentioned Chief Assistant State Legal professional Joseph Mansfield.
On Could 14, Choose James Morgan signed an arrest warrant for Susanne Bloy, setting bond at $50,000. She was arrested at her dwelling by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace and booked into the county jail. She posted bond and has been launched pending trial.
“That is about defending the legacy of somebody who gave a lot to our group,” Ward added. “We owe it to Mike’s household — and to each household within the Keys — to pursue justice with integrity and resolve.”