Orange City Woman Arrested Again In $68K Fraud Bust

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Orange City, FL -  A woman charged with scamming homeowners through filing false hurricane damage claims is arrested again.

According to Jimmy Patronis, the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida, 50-year-old Mary Bruce was arrested for the unlicensed practice of public adjusting and grand theft related to Hurricane Irma.

She was initially arrested in January for stealing more than $14,000 from homeowners.

Back in September of 2017, Patronis' investigators found that Bruce had approached homeowners who sustained roof and interior damages from Hurricane Irma.

She told homeowners that she was an "independent claims adjuster" that could negotiate settlements with insurance.

Bruce required that homeowners paid her $3,500 and to sign a Power of Attorney. She then submitted fraudulent cost estimates for roofing work to insurance companies.

In total, Bruce submitted $68,000 in fraudulent claims, according to prosecutors.

She was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail and charged for rendering services as an unlicensed public adjuster as well as grand theft.

If convicted, Bruce faces up to 10 years in prison.

Bruce has since been released from Brevard County Jail.