Ex-bookkeeper Holly Connelly is facing a May trial date for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Key Royale Club in Holmes Beach.
Connelly’s trial was set for May 21, nearly a year after reports began circulating on the Island that a former employee of the private club had stolen about $500,000.
Connelly was arrested in late July and charged with one count of scheme to defraud in excess of $50,000. If convicted of the felony, the 30-year-old Bradenton resident could be sentenced to 30 years in prison.
At a case management conference that lasted no more than two minutes Sept. 28, 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Marc B. Gilner agreed to the trial date and confirmed with attorneys that Connelly understood she was waiving her right to a speedy trial.
Another hearing is set for the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton on Oct. 12, when Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. is expected to consider a motion from Connelly’s attorney to revise his pre-trial, supervised release order.
In late August, Smith reduced Connelly’s bond from $500,000 to $15,000, but required that Connelly follow certain rules when released from the Manatee County jail, including wearing a monitoring bracelet, surrendering her passport, observing a 7 p.m. curfew and residing at a specified Bradenton address with a friend.
At the hearing, Smith will be asked to consider a new residential address for Connelly.
“The reason defendant requests this modification is that where she can and will be residing after posting a bond has changed since her court appearance Aug. 31,” public defender Jessica Casciola wrote in the motion.
Connelly is likely to remain in jail, where she has been since July, until at least Oct. 12.
Authorities allege that Connelly, while employed at the Key Royale Club, stole about $400,000 over a three-year period, and that there is evidence of the theft from bank records, including videotape.
Key Royale Club officials allege that Connelly stole about $500,000, including about $100,000 in ATM withdrawals.
Six representatives from the club attended the brief hearing last week.