The fraud case against an Indialantic man won’t be going to trial before the end of summer.
On April 12, 46-year-old Rodolfo Olivas was arrested for fraud, theft and money laundering.
West Melbourne Police say they received information in June 2017 from Hills, Inc. that their bookkeeper/accountant had taken $175,000 from the company using an unauthorized American express card. Following a 10-month investigation, investigators found the amount was over $1 million in unauthorized credit card transactions and $291,000 in written checks deposited into his personal accounts. Olivas began working for Hills, Inc. in 2001. Police say the alleged activity dates back to 2010.
During a press conference in April, West Melbourne Detective Donovan Brickhouse said the money was used for a variety of purchases including cruises, Disney trips, and Tampa Bay Buccaneer seats and passes.
“Because of his addiction with alcohol and drugs, we think that he lost focus of what reality was, so to say, and it spiraled out of control,” Brickhouse said. “Once he started it he couldn’t stop it.” The case is set for a docket sounding on Aug. 28.
Todd Brown, who handles communications and social media for the Office of the State Attorney in the 18th Judicial Circuit, says Olivas is currently charged with 159 counts and, if convicted, faces a 10-year minimum mandatory sentence in prison. He could face in excess of 30 years in prison if convicted and sentenced on all counts.
“When we file an Information, as we did in this case, the prosecutor believes that there is enough evidence to prove the case beyond and to the exclusion of any reasonable doubt at trial,” Brown said. “We would also recognize the hard work of the West Melbourne Police and Brevard County Sheriff’s Economic Crimes Task Force in conducting this extensive investigation.”
Article by: Jennifer Torres, Correspondent