The surrogate
It begins with a woman who yearns for a baby and another who is willing and able to give her one. You can imagine the motives of the prospective parents. But what about the woman willing to carry a baby, give birth and then walk away?
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
A 35-year-old man accused of stealing almost $6-million from state coffers was arrested Monday in Miami, just minutes before he was due to leave the country on an international flight.
Ali Hammoud has been indicted in Tallahassee federal court, accused of transferring funds payable to a state road contractor into an account in his own name. The funds allegedly were transmitted to an account in Lebanon.
Alex Sink, the state's chief financial officer, announced the arrest late Monday, saying her Department of Financial Services has asked Regions Bank, Wachovia Bank and Bank of America to freeze any funds transferred as a result of the scam.
"We're grateful the FBI responded swiftly and arrested this individual," Sink said. "We are working hand in hand with the U.S. attorney and others to assure that this case is successfully prosecuted."
A representative for Sink refused to answer questions about how Hammoud got access to state funds and would not say whether he was a state employee. His name is not listed in an online directory of state employees.
In a printed release, acting U.S. Attorney Thomas F. Kirwin said Hammoud has been charged with wire fraud, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.
Details of the theft were not immediately available from Sink's office or federal prosecutors.
Sink's office oversees the Department of Financial Services, the agency that is responsible for managing state funds.
[Last modified: Jul 30, 2008 04:23 PM]
Comments on this article
by Ronnie
Jul 30, 2008 4:23 PM
Looks like the State is no different than the U.S. Government! Liars, Cheats and terrorists! (Only) in God we trust!
by Bob
Jul 30, 2008 1:53 PM
Lucy will have more on this story in tomorrow's edition. AND then even more in the following days. This is a developing story. Maybe a Pulitzer is in the works!
by Earl.
Jul 30, 2008 11:11 AM
All State employees who allowed this to happen should be fired immediately.
by Tim
Jul 29, 2008 4:23 PM
Are you kidding? $6Million tax payer dollars went to the terrorists? What clowns are watching our piggy bank?? Is this the best we have for state oversight?
by Ronnie
Jul 29, 2008 1:21 PM
How many cases have gone by without arrests or our knowledge of the crimes.
Sad housekeeping!
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