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News
Release
07/24/08
Captain Frank Surmaczewicz
Criminal Investigation Division
Port Orange Police Department
(386) 506-5899
Case #08-00378
FORMER
VICE-PRESIDENT OF PORT ORANGE FAMILY DAYS ARRESTED
On
April 18, 2008 the Port Orange Police Department was contacted
by two board members of the Port Orange Family Days who wanted
to report a theft of funds from the organization which
occurred over the course of the past several years.
The
Family Days event has been held bi-annually in the City of
Port Orange for approximately the past 10 years. Discrepancies
in the amount of money collected from the Carnival Operators
and the amount subsequently deposited into the Community
Trust’s bank account were discovered during an audit of the
account by other board members.
 Peter
Atwood, 60, of 807 Woodport Drive in Port Orange, was formerly
the Vice President of the Port Orange Community Trust and an
organizer of the Port Orange Family Days event. When
questioned about this by the board members, Peter Atwood
admitted to stealing money from the organization.
After
the matter was reported to the Port Orange Police Department,
interviews were conducted with the operators of both
Carnivals. Their statements confirmed that they had to pay an
additional percentage of their gross revenue to Peter Atwood,
over and above the amount paid to the Port Orange Community
Trust, to operate their Carnivals here for these events.
Atwood
was also responsible for the collection and deposits regarding
the funds secured from the carnival events. The investigation
showed that there was $ 21,395.00 skimmed from the deposits
during the period from October 2005 through October of 2007.
Today
Peter Atwood was arrested at his residence. Honorable
Judge Patrick G. Kennedy signed the arrest warrant against
Peter Atwood for the charge of Grand Theft and stipulated the
bond amount at $ 25,000.00.
Upon
conclusion of the booking process, Peter Atwood was
transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail.
This
investigation is continuing.
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