Posted on 03/21/2024 12:48:05 AM PDT by billorites
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - A man was arrested for stealing more than $800,000 from a business owned by John Travolta in Jumbolair Aviation Estates, and Marion County Sheriff’s deputies are putting out a call for his co-pilot.
Marion County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jean Lacruz-Romero, 28, of St. Cloud, on charges of money laundering more than $100,000, organized fraud of property of more than $50,000, and grand theft of more than $100,000 on Friday.
They also have an arrest warrant for Jorden Coursey, who is wanted for grand theft.
MCSO deputies say on Dec. 29, they made contact with an employee of Constellation Productions, a business located inside the Jumbolair Aviation Estates about suspected fraud committed by Lacruz-Romero and another employee.
State records show that John Travolta is an officer/director of Constellation Productions, Inc.
Lacruz-Romero was employed by the business as a pilot and was issued an American Express credit card from the business to purchase fuel and other aviation expenses when conducting flights. He had been fired from the company at the time of his arrest.
The employee who had reported the suspected fraud had been investigating Lacruz-Romero’s fuel prices and excuses for increased costs. In October 2021, purchases were made from a company named Lux Fuels, LLC. Lacruz-Romero said it was a discount fuel company.
Through the investigation, it was discovered that Lux Fuels was owned by Lacruz-Romero’s wife and that the company was inflating expense reports being paid by Constellation Productions.
The total charges reportedly stolen was $785,050. Additionally, a loss of $64,650 was reported by Constellation Production’s accounting firm as they conducted the investigation.
As Lacruz-Romero is a pilot and also not a U.S. citizen, officers requested no bond as they say he may be a flight risk. His next court date is scheduled for April 16 at 9 a.m.
“and grand theft of more than $100,000 on Friday.”
That’s a serious charge. Had he done it on a Tuesday, the charge would have been much less.
I met John in Wilmington NC while he was filming a movie. He was a nice guy. This was 1990’s.
He drives around Ocala at night in a beat up old Ford truck.
I met John in Wilmington NC while he was filming a movie. He was a nice guy. This was 1990’s.
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