Florida Man Arrested for Allegedly Defrauding Elderly Hurricane Victims

Police in Florida have arrested a man who allegedly organized a fraud scheme that preyed on elderly residents during the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Milton. His actions reportedly left dozens of victims without savings and without promised repairs, leaving them especially vulnerable. A police investigation revealed that a significant portion of the funds fueled the suspect’s gambling habit.

The Suspect Never Completed Any Work

Police arrested B.M., the individual behind a company called RedFin Construction. He now faces 13 felony charges after he allegedly exploited storm damage and vulnerable homeowners to collect large upfront payments for construction work he never planned to complete. B.M. primarily targeted residents of Seabreeze Mobile Home Park suffering from hurricane damage.

The investigation leading up to the arrest began in July 2025 when local police received several similar complaints. Michael Carpenter, a detective with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, identified 14 alleged victims between the ages of 62 and 95. Court documents state that homeowners paid B.M. approximately $222,000 in deposits for aluminum repairs. However, none of the projects were finished.

While some transactions indicated Michaud made construction-related purchases, he didn’t use those materials to complete any of the victims’ projects.

Bradenton Police Department statement

Further investigation revealed that B.M. was not a licensed contractor in Florida and allegedly used another company’s credentials to do business. Bank statements, contracts, and canceled checks revealed that the suspect routinely pressured victims for significant upfront payments while they were still displaced or coping with storm-related losses.

Gambling-Related Crime Remains an Enduring Issue

Prosecutors claim that B.M. transferred the money to various personal and business accounts, using $53,000 at casinos while also covering his living expenses. He now faces charges for defrauding more than $50,000, misappropriating construction funds exceeding $100,000, and aggravated white-collar crime against elderly victims, all constituting first-degree felonies.

This case adds to recent reports of gambling-related financial crime. Last month in Virginia, a police officer admitted to defrauding friends and acquaintances of more than $800,000. The following investigation revealed that he used the misappropriated funds to fuel a severe gambling addiction. Such reports reveal how gambling harm can often affect more than just the direct victim.

Experts warn that gambling-related harm remains on the rise across the USA. Researchers from the University of Maryland have linked the proliferation of betting with rising addiction and bankruptcy rates. As demonstrated by these two cases, some individuals even resort to deception or crime to fund compulsive behavior, heedless of how their actions may affect vulnerable victims.