Defendants Charles Bennett and Ken Marwick, both former members of the condominium board for Lovers Key Condominium in Estero, today pled as charged to charges of First Degree Grand Theft in connection with their theft of over $290,000 from a reserve account of the condominium association. Bennett was the president of the board and Marwick was the vice-president.
The charges followed an extensive investigation began in 2009 by investigators with the office of State Attorney Steve Russell. The investigators worked in conjunction with Assistant State Attorney J.D. Miller of the Economic Crimes Unit in developing the case against Bennett and Marwick.
Bennett was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison followed by 25 years of probation. Marwick was sentenced to 2 years in prison followed by 10 years of probation. More than $100,000 in restitution has already been made and the rest must be repaid as part of their probation after their prison sentences are completed.
State Attorney Russell said that he was pleased that his office helped the victims in this case have closure. “The victims now know that those whom they put their trust in to manage the association’s funds have been punished, and that they will be required to pay back to the association the funds that they stole.”
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org