News
Organized fraud suspect behind bars again
TBO.com
Published: November 2, 2012
BROOKSVILLE - A man already facing charges of organized fraud is once again behind bars after detectives learned he was selling homes without a real estate license.Published: November 2, 2012
Gaetano Antonelli, 62 was taken into custody Thursday after he admitted to showing a home to a prospective buyer, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.
Antonelli once had a real estate license, but it expired in 1999.
He was currently out on $49,382 bond while facing six counts of organized fraud, according to a press release.
Detectives received a tip that Antonelli was listing properties for sale on the Internet. They then followed up and found a homeowner who responded to an ad that read, "We sell homes," and spoke to Antonelli, who she said told her he would sell her home for a profit.
One detective then followed Antonelli and pulled over his truck. He admitted to showing the property during the traffic stop, the report showed.
In June, Antonelli was charged with three counts of organized fraud after deputies determined he contacted individuals who were behind on their mortgage payments and tricked them into signing over the deed to their property via power of attorney.
He would promise the victims that he would sue the mortgage company on their behalf but instead would try to sell their home to an unsuspecting buyer using Craigslist, according to an arrest report.
A month later, three more victims came forward, bringing the total to six.
On Thursday, Antonelli was taken to Hernando County Jail where he is being held without bond.