Florida GOP Candidate Suspected in $48K Theft from Homeowners’ Association; Facing Trial after Embezzlement
A candidate running for the Florida Senate in August is currently facing charges of grand theft in Orange County related to a homeowner’s association. The trial for this case is set to begin in September.
Cheryl Blancett, aged 63, is currently facing charges related to a long-term investigation into the misappropriation of approximately $48,000 from a homeowners association in an east Orange County neighborhood. As per the arrest report, Blancett was hired by the officers of the Sawgrass Estates HOA to manage their subdivision from April 2018 to August 2019.
Blancett is being accused by investigators of commingling the HOA funds with her personal funds, utilizing the money for personal expenses and making purchases that were not authorized as HOA expenses.
It is alleged that Blancett misappropriated a significant sum of money from the HOA. She maintains her innocence.
Blancett is vying for the Republican nomination in the Florida Senate District 13 race, which covers portions of Orange and Lake counties. Her name on the ballot is listed as “CJ” Blancett.
She will be competing against businessman Bowen Kou and outgoing Florida House Rep. Keith Truenow in the upcoming Republican primary on Aug. 20. Kou has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee for libel as per ClickOrlando News.
The lawsuit is in response to a political mailer that raises doubts about any potential connections between Kou, his donors, and the Chinese government. It is worth noting that Kou is an American citizen. A mailer was sent out on behalf of Truenow, stating his approval.
