Onewest Bank FSB has filed foreclosure papers against former county manager Don Stilwell for a home in Cape Coral. It’s the fifth property for Stilwell in which banks have filed for foreclosure in the past three months, but none are the home he lives in on Braman Avenue along the river.

Stilwell is pursuing unemployment benefits following his forced resignation in May. On Oct. 16, Stilwell asked the state’s Unemployment Appeals Commission to review the Agency for Workforce Innovation’s decision that he could not receive unemployment compensation. That ruling denied him benefits because the sexual nature of the e-mails he forwarded on his work computer violated the proper behavior required of a county employee. (more…)

Ken Wilkinson is cracking down on homestead fraud — as best he can.

On the heels of what would be the largest homestead fraud case in Lee County, which could reap about $458,000 in back taxes and penalties, Wilkinson is seeking a sponsor for legislation that would require homeowner and condo associations to supply a list every January 1 indicating which properties are being rented.

Wilkinson is attending a state associations meeting next week where he will pitch the idea, and seek a lawmaker to sponsor a bill for the next legislative sesssion.

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A group identifying themselves as “Concerned Citizens of Ann Arbor” in Bokeelia has contacted The News-Press about a possible homestead fraud in their community. Linda Anderson at the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office has agreed to investigate the claims.

Many people have wondered what process the appraiser’s office uses to investigate homestead fraud. Anderson has told me her office begins investigations most often based on tips — usually an unhappy neighbor.

The e-mail sent by Anderson to the “Concerned Citizens of Ann Arbor” gives some insight into how the investigations are conducted. (more…)