SARASOTA, Fla. — Billy Vann Prater Jr., 39, former manager of Siesta Key Palms Resort, was arrested on May 21 following allegations of defrauding the resort of approximately $110,000.
According to Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies, Prater exploited his managerial position at the resort on Stickney Point Road by issuing free rooms and canceling paid bookings, keeping the payments for himself.
The resort’s owner reported the fraud after a financial audit revealed discrepancies dating from late 2023 through 2024. Additionally, Prater hired a handyman for unclear work, with suspicions that payments may have been inflated.
Prater also committed FEMA fraud by adding extra stays to FEMA-approved accounts even though the guests did not occupy those rooms. This fraud resulted in the resort owner having to reimburse FEMA $7,003.
Prater was released on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled for a criminal arraignment on June 20. His attorney emphasized that Prater is presumed innocent until proven guilty.