A circuit court judge radically reduced the bond for an ex-bookkeeper accused of stealing nearly $400,000 from a private Holmes Beach golf club.
The bond, initially set at $500,000, was reduced Aug. 31 to $15,000, with several conditions attached.
As of early Sept. 5, Connelly remained at the jail.
The 30-minute hearing on the motion to reduce the bond took place at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton before Judge Gilbert A. Smith Jr.
Connelly, 29, was arrested July 27 and is charged with one felony count of scheming to defraud in excess of $50,000. The arrest followed a lengthy investigation by the Holmes Beach Police Department into allegations that Connelly embezzled from the Key Royale Club LLC., where she had worked as a bookkeeper.
The HBPD, in its investigation report, alleges that Connelly forged Key Royale Club checks and deposited them into her personal bank account.
The state attorney’s office sought the $500,000 bond out of concern that Connelly might flee Manatee County and that she might use some of the money she allegedly stole to get out of jail.
Connelly’s attorney, assistant public defender Jessica Casciola, filed a motion seeking a reduced bond soon after the arrest. Casciola argued in the brief motion that $500,000 was excessive.
Connelly arrived to the hearing with her wrists chained and wearing a dark blue jail uniform. She looked briefly at the courtroom audience before sitting beside Casciola to face the judge, and spoke in a hushed voice to her attorney.
Casciola brought two people before Smith — Connelly’s mother and a friend — to support the reduced bond.
Connelly’s mother told the judge that her daughter has lived in either Pinellas or Manatee County her entire life — including 13 years in Manatee; that her entire family, including children, is in the area and that she turned herself into authorities.
Connelly’s mother also said, “In these economic times … none of us have an asset” that would come close to meeting a $500,000 bond. More affordable would be a $10,000 bond.
Casciola presented Gilbert with four e-mail messages from friends supporting Connelly’s release and emphasized her client’s record shows “no prior criminal conduct.”
“The bond is much too much,” Casciola said.
From the other side of the courtroom, assistant State Attorney Christopher Nigro opposed any reduction in bond.
He asked Connelly’s mother how many times her daughter had left the country in recent years.
Once, on a trip to Haiti after the earthquake, was her reply.
Nigro followed, “Was that paid for by members of the Key Royale Club?”
Casciola objected to the question, and Nigro moved on.
Connelly, Nigro said, is not accused of a one-time theft but of systematically stealing from Key Royale over a three-year period.
“A $10,000 bond, clearly that’s not appropriate. Clearly I do not believe that would secure her presence here in court,” Nigro said, adding that if convicted Connelly could be sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Nigro did not bring anyone before the judge, but three representatives of the Key Royale Club sat in the courtroom.
After hearing arguments from both attorneys, Smith spent about 10 minutes reviewing documents and making notes.
He then announced that he was reducing Connelly’s bond to $15,000 and set a series of requirements for her supervised release.
Connelly must report regularly to a court officer, abide by a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, not leave the Manatee-Sarasota area without court approval, have no contact with any alleged victims or any witnesses in the case, wear an electronic-monitoring band and surrender her passport. Connelly also will be required to live with a Bradenton friend.
Additionally, the judge said the bond money must come from Connelly’s mother, or additional sources not tied to any of Connelly’s assets.
A violation of the conditions would result in an arrest warrant.
Connelly’s attorney has entered a not guilty plea and demanded a jury trial. Casciola stressed during last week’s hearing that it is “very, very early on in the case,” and she has not received any “plea offer” from the state.
Nigro said, “The evidence is great in this case.”
We miss you Holly!