Florida contractor spent hurricane victim repair money at casinos, police say
A Florida contractor accused of targeting older people after Hurricane Milton spent their money at casinos instead of completing promised repairs, according to police.
Bradenton police arrested Brian Michaud, 54, on Tuesday on 13 felony charges after investigators said he took more than $222,000 from residents of Seabreeze Mobile Home Park and failed to complete any of the work they paid for.
Police said the investigation began in July 2025 after complaints from park residents. According to detectives, 14 people, ranging in age from 62 to 95, reported hiring Michaud, operating as RedFin Construction, to repair hurricane damage to carports, lanais, roofs and sheds.
Bank statements, contracts and copies of checks reviewed by police showed the victims spent $222,000 in down payments for aluminum repairs, according to detectives. Investigators said Michaud did not complete any of the projects.
The investigation also found Michaud was not a licensed contractor in Florida and used another company’s contractor license, police said.
Under Florida law, contractors must be licensed to perform or solicit construction work, and presenting another company’s contractor license as your own during a declared state of emergency is a felony.
Financial subpoenas covering October 2024 through April 2025 showed Michaud made multiple transactions and transfers between several business and personal accounts, investigators said. During that period, police said he spent more than $53,000 at casinos and used the accounts for daily living and recreational expenses.
While some transactions showed construction-related purchases, investigators said Michaud didn’t use those materials to complete any of the projects.
Michaud faces 10 counts of presenting someone else’s contractor license during a declared state of emergency, all third-degree felonies. He is also charged with scheming to defraud $50,000 or more, misappropriation of construction funds of $100,000 or more and aggravated white-collar crime against an elderly victim of $50,000 or more, all first-degree felonies.
Michaud was in custody at the Manatee County Jail, where jail records show he is being held without bond on several charges.
The investigation remains ongoing, police say. Anyone with a similar complaint involving Michaud or RedFin Construction is asked to contact Detective Michael Carpenter at michael.carpenter@bradentonpd.com.
