Father-Daughter Duo Charged in Miami Beach Real Estate Scam
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – A father and daughter, Krystyna Maistrenko, 25, and William Richmond, also known as Vladimir Maistrenko, 51, are facing serious allegations after defrauding a Miami Beach homeowner out of over $650,000. The duo had promised to execute high-end Italian millwork for the homeowner’s residence, but the work was never completed.
Uncovering the Scheme
Newly released footage reveals the moment Miami Beach police arrived at Elite Home furniture store, where the suspects claimed to be the owners. Upon investigation, authorities discovered that the wire transfers made by the victim were misappropriated. Instead of funding business operations for Elite Home Miami LLC, the money was used to fulfill the suspects’ personal financial obligations, including:
- Mortgage defaults
- Foreclosure-related expenses
- Legal fees
- Personal debts
Police Concern over Possible Additional Victims
Detectives from the Miami Beach Police Department suspect there may be other victims who have suffered similar fates at the hands of the Maistrenko family. They encourage anyone who believes they have been defrauded to reach out to law enforcement to report their experiences.
Defense Statements
In a defense statement made to Local 10 News, attorneys for Vladimir Maistrenko, Brian Bieber and Alek Ubieta, emphasized that this situation began as a "business dispute" and argued it should be resolved in civil, not criminal, court. They expressed confidence that full transparency will reveal all the facts and lead to a fair resolution.
For further updates on this case, you can read more here.
Conclusion
The allegations against Krystyna Maistrenko and Vladimir Maistrenko highlight the risks homeowners face when engaging contractors without thorough vetting. As the investigation continues, authorities urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to home improvement services.
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