Full press convention: Two arrested for cash laundering from Humane Society in Hernando County
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Workplace detailed the arrests of two folks accused of laundering cash from the Humane Society of the Nature Coast.
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – A married couple was arrested and accused of stealing$1.5 million supposed for the Humane Society Of The Nature Coast, however, in line with the sheriff, the non-profit will not be the spouse’s first sufferer.
On Thursday, Hernando County Sheriff Al Niehaus stated detectives arrested Susana Arneson and, her husband, Douglas O’Berry the day earlier than. Each are 38 years previous.
The sheriff stated the case was first delivered to the sheriff’s workplace’s consideration on the finish of January. He defined that Arenson began working with the native Humane Society in November 2018, and described her because the “mastermind.”
He stated over the course of her time with the company – together with after – Arenson and O’Berry bought boats, autos, and companies, together with the locally-popular Precision Sort out on Industrial Approach. Niehaus additionally stated it Arenson additionally modified her look through the previous few years and that the general public can draw their very own conclusions.
“It was a really fascinating case. She was in a position to take cash and divert it into an account with a purpose to make these purchases,” the sheriff stated. “It was positively one thing she did deliberately.”
Sheriff Nienhuis described her actions as “ironic,” contemplating she spoke to native information retailers, including FOX 13, about a burglary that occurred at the Humane Society in 2020. The housebreaking suspect stole every part from pet meals, turbines, cleansing provides, garden tools, and even rest room paper. A the time, the shelter was left with barely every week’s price of meals for over 100 animals.
Thieves take something they’ll seize from Humane Society
Somebody broke into the Humane Society in Brooksville, stealing canine and cat meals, turbines, and even rest room paper. The shelter was left with barely every week’s price of meals for 160 animals.
Arenson was the Humane Society’s director, and described the burglars as “heartless,” giving inspiration to the identify of the present investigation that led to her arrest: Operation Heartless, the sheriff stated.
“We discovered on the time of…the housebreaking she had already funneled over $300,000 into her private account,” Sheriff Nienhuis defined Thursday, “and was in a position to make a number of purchases for private objects…so a complete of $1.5 million over the previous few years.”
RELATED: Deputies: Brooksville couple stole from Humane Society to buy drugs, pay traffic fines
5 days after the housebreaking, Arenson and O’Berry, who weren’t married but, bought a house for $220,000 with no mortgage, the sheriff stated, including that there is no such thing as a indication the couple was concerned within the housebreaking.
Throughout the investigation, detectives realized the IRS filed liens in opposition to Arenson within the 2012-2013 tax years for $400,000.
“Which suggests in these two years, she made an amazing sum of money,” the sheriff stated, including that they’re nonetheless attempting to find out whether or not her earnings was authorized or unlawful. If it is the latter, “The Humane Society will not be the primary sufferer.”
Nienhuis stated Arenson left the Humane Society in August 2021, however was nonetheless in a position to “manipulate” cash after she left. He stated the bought autos and vessels have since been seized. Detectives are nonetheless scouring by way of paperwork and proof.
The non-profit stated they’ll launch a press release within the coming days.
For details about adoptable pets on the Humane Society of the Nature Coast, or to make a donation, go to https://humanerescue.org/.
