Fort Lauderdale

Former City Of Fort Lauderdale Employee Charged With Grand Theft

Two Coconut Creek men are in custody after allegedly conspiring with a former Fort Lauderdale Public Works employee to make hefty profits using the employee's city-issued credit card, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department said.

Ronald Newby, 60, and his son Brian, 24, knew that Joseph Arena was an employee with the City of Fort Lauderdale, police said. They were also aware that the items they sold were the property of the city. 

Arena, 48, was arrested last Thursday for allegedly using his city-issued credit card to buy expensive tools and equipment, then selling the purchased items for personal profit, according to the department. The Margate man worked for the city at the time the crimes were committed, police said.

Ronald and Brian Newby were charged  Thursday with several counts of false verification of ownership and dealing in stolen property. 

Arena has been charged with one count of grand theft, one count of official misconduct, 11 counts of false ownership pawn and 14 counts of dealing in, according to the police department.

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