Bookkeeper accused of defrauding estate of late Keys restaurant owner, politician ‘Mangrove Mike’

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She spent funds connected online slots, authorities say

Susanne Bloy (MCSO)

ISLAMORADA, Fla. – A pistillate described arsenic the erstwhile longtime bookkeeper of Florida Keys edifice proprietor and elected authoritative Mike Forster, known arsenic “Mangrove Mike,” is present accused of stealing from his estate.

Forster, a erstwhile Monroe County Commissioner and Islamorada mayor, died of COVID-19 successful 2021. He was 61. He owned Mangrove Mike’s astatine 82200 Overseas Highway.

Officials with the Monroe County State Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that Susanne Bloy, Forster’s “trusted” bookkeeper since 1998, had been appointed to negociate Mangrove Mike’s Enterprises portion his property underwent probate.

Investigators said Bloy, 71, of Key Largo, racked up $50,000 successful charges “linked to Apple IDs and devices nether (her) control” successful 2022 and 2023.

They said she was making “repeated online purchases done a casino gaming app” called “Cash Frenzy™ - Slots Casino."

Photo of precocious Monroe County Commissioner Mike Forster.

In 2024, Forster’s niece, Paige Keil, discovered suspicious recurring Apple.com charges that had nary transportation to the concern operations and reported it, starring to an probe into Bloy, prosecutors said.

“Evidence showed Bloy updated the Apple ID account, changed the billing accusation to her name, and aboriginal attempted to delete the relationship days earlier the concern was transferred to the Keil family,” a quality merchandise states.

Bloy was arrested connected Friday connected a complaint of strategy to defraud.

“Mike Forster dedicated his beingness to nationalist work and generosity. During the darkest days of COVID, his edifice kept radical fed and connected,” Monroe County State Attorney said successful portion successful a statement. “To observe that idiosyncratic helium trusted is accused of stealing from his bequest is perfectly unacceptable.”

Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield added, “When idiosyncratic uses their entree and authorization to exploit the representation and property of a assemblage icon, we volition clasp them accountable.”

Bloy was released from jailhouse aft posting a $50,000 bond. Records amusement she’s scheduled to beryllium arraigned connected June 3.