Article Courtesy of The Ledger

By Suzie Schottelkotte

Published March 21, 2017

BARTOW — The 60-year-old former treasurer of Cimarron Homeowners Association near Medulla was sentenced to three years in prison Friday for stealing $122,779 from the group over an 11-year span.

Martha Beard, who still lives in the 72-home community, told Circuit Judge Wayne Durden during Friday’s hearing that she had intended to pay the money back, but the debt became too great.“This was a major error in judgment on my part,” she said, “and I take full responsibility.”

Her son, 33-year-old Matthew Beard, a freelance sound technician for entertainment venues, was sentenced to two years in prison Friday for his role in the theft. His mother allowed him to use the association’s debit card, as well, piling up about $20,000 of the total that was taken.

They did repay $12,622 in four deposits before the theft was discovered. Including that money, they stole a total $135,400.

Both apologized to homeowners in the courtroom Friday, and Durden said he believed their remorse to be sincere. He also said he recognized the association’s need to get the $122,779 back through restitution.

But that need paled, he said, when balanced against the ongoing theft.

“I don’t think the need for restitution outweighs the need for punishment,” he said.

Daniel Santangelo, president of Cimarron Homeowners Association, said he agreed with Durden’s assessment.

“There are a lot of angry people,” he said.  Read more:

http://www.ccfj.net/HOAFLTreas3Yrs.html