Formal charges of unlawful practices related to a charity were filed Aug. 10 against butterfly park organizer Nancy Ambrose in the 12th Circuit Court.
The charges allege failing to register and unauthorized solicitations on behalf of a local chapter of the North American Butterfly Association. Registration is required by the Florida Agricultural and Consumer Services.
Ambrose, 58, of Bradenton and Holmes Beach, turned herself into authorities in May after Holmes Beach Detective Sgt. Brian Hall informed her of her pending arrest.
Assistant State Attorney Andrew Van Sickle, handling white-collar, animal and elderly crimes for the state, said the charges were brought after going through bank records with Hall.
Van Sickle said he decided not to pursue a scheme to defraud as originally alleged by the HBPD, saying the alleged misrepresentation is covered in the solicitation charge.
The allegations relate to Ambrose’s 2008 agreement with the city of Holmes Beach to landscape and maintain the Anna Maria Island Butterfly Park adjacent to city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Hall said the investigation began in 2015 when complaints surfaced about Ambrose’s failure to maintain the park and from people who said they purchased memorial bricks in the garden that were not delivered. In February 2016, the city took the garden back.
The park was initiated by Ambrose and Connie Hodsdon of Bradenton in 1999. Part of their effort included fundraising by the sale of engraved bricks for $50-$60.
Since at least February 2010, Ambrose allegedly organized three fundraising events a year, including craft shows at the Holmes Beach city field and in Bradenton Beach, to raise money for Anna Maria Island nonprofits.
Ambrose was the sole authorized signatory on a SunTrust account opened in August 2007, according to Hall’s investigation.
Hall discovered charges on a credit card account that are alleged to be personal expenses.
For the past 30 years, Ambrose has been known for volunteering for various causes and organizations on Anna Maria Island, including the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Island Players and the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra.