Article Courtesy of The Port Charlotte Sun-Herald

By  Adam Kreger

Published November 9, 2013

A former manager and treasurer who served on the Loveland Courtyard Association Board has been accused of abusing her power to steal more than $ 7,000 from the association between June 2009 and June 2012, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.

Sheila Patricia Jerrom, 72, who lives at the condominiums located on Loveland Boulevard in Port Charlotte, was arrested Saturda and charged with grand theft after a lengthy investigation by the association and the Sheriff's Office. She was given supervised release from the Charlotte County Jail on Sunday.

A report alleges Jerrom diverted $5,695 in condo dues, which she used to pay for her association dues.

In addition, she allegedly used the condo's debit card for the unauthorized purchase of four Bush Garden tickets and over $1,300 in electronics from Best Buy, among other transactions. The total alleged theft is estimated to be $7,020.

Jerrom declined comment Monday, saying, "It's still an ongoing investigation."

Joe Sabatino, the association's president since January and a Loveland Courtyard resident since 2009, said he wasn't surprised by the news.

Sheila ran everything," he said, "I'm 70 years old and never seen anything like it. People were petrified of her."

In fact, he's the one who requested an internal audit in 2010 after hearing other residents complain they felt their money was being misused.

Sabatino said it then took "months" for Jerrom to comply with the audit.
 
"She's the toughest broad I know, and I'm from New York City," he said.
 
Ray Russell, a former board member and resident, volunmteered to help with the audit.

"I probably spent more than 500 hours," he said. "I went through bank statements and everything."

Around 30 allegations were brought by the board against Jerrom, and the Sheriff's office was able to confirm them. A warrant for Jerrom's arrest was issued Oct. 22.

Despite the accusations, some who know Jerrom don't believe them to be true.

"It's a shame," said Johanna Kelly, 83, a long-time Loveland Courtyard resident and former board member.

"She's a dear friend, and I don't believe any of it. I'd trust her with my life."

Current board members say operations are much smoother since Jerrom's departure more than a year ago.

"It's been pristine for two years," said current board member Becky Cook. "Everything is done transparently now, and we have monthly audits. We're doing great."