Police Supervisor Pinched After Complaint Triggers Probe Into Alleged Fraudulent Homestead Exemption Claim

In Key West, Florida, WPEC-TV Channel 12 reports:

• A Florida Department Department of Law Enforcement supervisor in Key West has been arrested on charges of grand theft and homestead exemption fraud. FDLE on Wednesday arrested Vincent Michael Weiner, 47, on a charge of grand theft, a third-degree felony, and homestead exemption fraud, a first-degree misdemeanor. FDLE reports Weiner has worked for FDLE since 1993, and is currently a supervisor in the Key West Field Office.



• FDLE's investigation began in April when its Office of Executive Investigations got a complaint alleging Weiner had falsified property tax documents relating to a homestead exemption for a property he owned in Monroe County. Investigators say Weiner was not living at the property he claimed as a homestead for the tax years 2007 to 2010.



• Weiner received at least $5,918 in tax exemptions to which he was not entitled, FDLE alleges. Weiner was booked into the Monroe County Jail. He has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and the pending administrative investigation.

Source: FDLE supervisor Vincent Weiner arrested on homestead fraud charge.

See also KeysNet.com: Prosecutor: FDLE agent's fraud no mistake:

• "There were a number of anonymous complaints to the Property Appraiser's Office," [Assistant Monroe County State Attorney Mark] Wilson said Thursday. "On at least two occasions, the office contacted him to make sure he was eligible, that he was not renting out the property."



• Weiner reportedly maintained that he was eligible to receive the tax break. "His denial of something we believe to be true" forms the basis of the case, Wilson said. "It's not like he forgot to call" to report his status had changed, Wilson said.