MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The president of a manatee county non-profit is accused of stealing funds for his own personal gain. Matthew Garcia is under investigation for scheming to defraud the Manatee County Honor Guard.
Garcia, who became the president of the Manatee County Honor Gard in 2017, is believed to have been scheming to defraud the nonprofit this year.
According to the arrest warrant, Garcia opened up a Wells Fargo account for the non-profit shortly after becoming president. But between April and July of 2018, he reportedly transferred more than $3,000 to his personal bank account.
According to the warrant, Garcia said the accounts were accidentally crossed and offered to return the funds. Wells Fargo reported it would not have been possible for the transfer to be done accidentally.
“The whole idea of the honor guard brings honor to the organization, to the profession. Instead of honor, it is dishonor,” said Southern Manatee County Fire and Rescue Chief Brian Gorski. “This violates that trust of the community because think about it, 2:00 in the morning they are calling us for help and we are going into their homes.”
