A contractor has been accused in a submit–Hurricane Milton rip-off, with police alleging he focused aged victims and spent upwards of $53,000 at casinos.
Brian Michaud was arrested by Bradenton Police Division on Tuesday (December 16) on 13 felony costs. It was in July 2025 when Detective Michael Carpenter started to analyze complaints made by residents of Seabreeze Cellular Residence Park.
BPD has arrested a contractor who solicited aged victims within the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. Brian Michaud, working as RedFin Development, is charged with 13 felonies. His victims, ages 62-95, paid $220,000 for work that wasn't accomplished. STORY:https://t.co/xldpgLnlym pic.twitter.com/vnGLuoMW0F
— Bradenton Police Division (@BradentonPD) December 17, 2025
“Fourteen victims, who vary in age from 62 to 95, reported hiring Brian Michaud, working as RedFin Development, to restore harm attributable to Hurricane Milton,” the police claim.
“Financial institution statements, contracts, and copies of checks indicated the victims made down funds totaling $222,000 for aluminium repairs to their carports, lanais, roofs, and sheds. Nevertheless, Michaud failed to finish any of the work.”
Man held in Florida jail, as police ask folks to contact them if they’ve extra data
Within the media launch concerning the investigation, the police say it additionally allegedly revealed that the person isn’t a licensed contractor within the state and used one other firm’s license.
“Monetary subpoenas for October 2024 by way of April 2025 indicated Michaud made a number of transactions and transfers between a number of enterprise and private accounts,” the press launch states.
“Throughout this time, the subpoenas indicated Michaud spent upwards of $53,000 at casinos and used these accounts for day by day dwelling and leisure bills. Whereas some transactions indicated Michaud made construction-related purchases, he didn’t use these supplies to finish any of the victims’ initiatives.”
Michaud is going through the next costs, all of which stay alleged: ten counts of presenting another person’s contractor’s license throughout a declared state of emergency, one depend of scheming to to defraud ($50,000 or extra), one depend of misappropriation of building funds ($100,000 or extra), and one depend of aggravated white-collar crime in opposition to an aged sufferer ($50,000 or extra).
The person is at the moment being held with out bond on the Manatee County jail and the investigation continues. The police have requested folks to contact Detective Carpenter if they’ve an identical grievance in opposition to Michaud or RedFin Development.
Featured Picture: Bradenton Police Division
The submit Contractor accused of scamming elderly, spending $53K at casinos after hurricane appeared first on ReadWrite.
