Crime & Public Safety
Nonprofit in Palmetto Reports $74,400 Missing From Bank Account
Officials with the Friends of the Manatee County Agricultural Museum report that more than $74,000 set aside for a new storage facility was removed from the nonprofit’s bank account in Palmetto. The group says the funds had been reserved to build a climate‑controlled storage space adjacent to the museum to house large and incoming collection pieces.
According to the nonprofit, six unauthorized transactions totaling $74,400 were made from its BMO account in May. The Friends say they discovered the transactions and reported the activity to the bank promptly after finding the discrepancies. BMO reportedly denied the organization’s claim for reimbursement, citing a requirement that disputed transactions be reported within 24 hours.
These are allegations made by the Friends of the Manatee County Agricultural Museum; the organization characterizes the loss as devastating and says it has had to stop accepting new donations for lack of space. No law‑enforcement agency or criminal charge is identified in the material provided, and no recovery of funds is documented in the source.
The nonprofit says it intends to continue the storage project and is accepting donations to help offset the loss and support museum operations. The Friends’ request for community assistance and the bank’s refusal to reimburse under its policy are the current, documented status points in this matter.
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