Florida Agenda

Michael Cruz Sentenced to One Year in Jail Plus Repayment

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL – Former Pride South Florida treasurer Michael Cruz, 49, plead guilty to one count of  second-degree grand theft for embezzling over $46,000 from the organization  that produces the annual PrideFest in Oakland Park.

Cruz pled guilty in front of Broward Circuit Judge Andrew Siegel last Friday afternoon.

Seigel sentenced Cruz to one year in jail plus ten years’ probation; Cruz was also ordered to repay the stolen money after his release in installments. Cruz was facing up to 15 years in prison.

Two board members of Pride South Florida, Vice President Marc Hanson and Secretary/Treasurer Joel Slotnick, urged Seigel to show leniency on Cruz and not send him to jail, but prosecutor Jared Gass asked Siegel to impose some jail time.

“For both Joel Slotnick and I, it has been very difficult,” said Hanson. “We have both been friends with Mike for a many years; it makes it very difficult for us to speak against him. We believe there still is a good man inside that body. He went in a bad direction and got addicted to gambling and that hurt him and us.”

Cruz was treasurer of PSF and joined the board in 2003 until his removal by the Board in 2009. In May, 2009, a banking official of the organization’s financial institution in Sunrise where PSF had their account contacted two then-Board members, indicating that there were “suspicious” transactions involving the PSF bank account and Cruz. City of Sunrise authorities were contacted and, when the PSF Board was satisfied that there might have been misconduct on Cruz’s behalf, he was removed from the Board and his signature removed from the bank account.

However, since Cruz’s activities were conducted in Fort Lauderdale, the case was turned over to Fort Lauderdale Police Department Economic Crimes Unit for jurisdictional reasons. When Board members went to confront Cruz about the suspicious activities, it was discovered he was in Broward General Hospital for what was theorized as attempted suicide.

A warrant for Cruz’s arrest was issued in July 2010. Cruz had originally plead not guilty to the charges.

Since Cruz’s arrest, PSF has put new oversight on their finances. “The lack of the $40,000 has made it difficult for us these last two years,” said Hanson. “It’s not cheap to put on these events; it put a lot of stress and strain on the organization on top of a stressful economy. This is why a number of things had to change from the way it was being done.”

“We are ecstatic with the change of plea – that he made the decision to admit to his guilt and that we wouldn’t have to continue fighting,” said Hanson. “We had all the evidence and witnesses in place, but this brought everything to a nice end. We are glad to be passed it and we are looking forward to our next year.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – On June 12, 2011, the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble will mark their 25th anniversary with a special concert at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in the Amaturo Theatre. Founded in 1986 with just six members in a band member’s living room, the then-named Flamingo Freedom Band was born. Since its inception, the band has been entertaining audiences throughout Florida.

In the past two years, the South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble has joined with the Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus and Ft. Lauderdale Women’s Chorus to form South Florida Performing Arts. This parent organization has helped all three groups grow by collaborating on concerts, producing one season-long concert program, recruiting monthly giving donors, and selling season ticket subscriptions.

Each year the wind ensemble performs two major concerts at the Broward Center and appears

at several pride events throughout the state. This year will mark their second year going on a tour of Florida’s west coast with the Ft. Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus to raise funds for local charities in Naples and Sarasota.

“Our Anniversary Concert will celebrate 25 years of great music and great collaborations. We are going to pull out all of the stops on this one. Our audience will be treated to our usual fantastic visual effects, guest musicians and other entertainers and, of course, amazing music,” commented Dan Bassett, artistic director.

Tickets are now on sale through the Broward Center box office by calling 954-462-0222 or online at www.browardcenter.org/sflpridewindensemble.