Arrest made for real estate fraud

This week, a South Walton County woman pled “no contest” in Circuit Court in reference to running a property management firm without a license.  In July 2009, a couple hired Connie Jo Hludzik to clean and rent their condo out on a weekly basis.Hludzik advised the victims that she ran a company called “CJ’s Cleaning and Property Management LLC.

Hludzik did find a renter, and turned over two checks totaling $1,746.00 to the condo unit owners.  Both of those checks “failed” to clear the bank.  A Walton County Sheriff’s Investigator contacted the Florida Division of Real Estate which revealed that Hludzik did not hold a state Real Estate License. 

At around the same time last summer, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office would receive a second complaint against the 43-year-old Miramar Beach woman.  This time a man sent a cashier’s check for four-hundred dollars to Hludzik’s Property Management firm in order to reserve a Destin condominium unit for a week. As time approached the reservation date, the victim unsuccessfully tried on several occasions to contact the suspect.

In a Walton County Courtroom this past Tuesday, Hludzik pled “no contest” to being an Unlicensed Real Estate Broker, and Grand Theft felony charges.  She was sentenced to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections

Hludzik is also reportedly a person of interest in a few similar fraud cases in the Florida Panhandle.  

With Spring Break underway and the summer tourist season fast approaching, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public when contracting to rent a house, or condominium for a vacation.  It’s important to make sure you are dealing with a reputable and licensed real estate agent before making any money transactions.