Good morning. I’m Erin Guy. Here’s your news to go. New details in *** deputy involved shooting in Delray Beach. 23 year old Alexander Buck Spin, now charged with aggravated assault. He’s accused of pointing *** pellet gun at deputies during *** welfare check, forcing *** deputy to fire. He’s in the hospital and the deputy is on administrative leave. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. *** Lake Worth man accused of stealing election equipment is due in court today. 5 nine-year-old John D. Pennici allegedly stole an encrypted access key from the Palm Beach County Elections Office. He’s charged with unlawful use of an electronic device. His plea conference begins at 8:30 this morning. The assistant fire chief in charge during *** deadly Riviera Beach canal response has retired after being formally censured by the Florida Professional Firefighters Union. Local leaders are now seeking further disciplinary action. And we’re in for another hot and humid day here in South Florida, and that has prompted another heat advisory for metro and coastal portions of Palm Beach County that’ll begin at 11 in the morning, running till 7 o’clock tonight as heat index values will sit anywhere between 105 to 110 this afternoon. But even outside of that advisory here in South Florida, it’s going to be hot and humid with feels like temperatures in the hundreds, so stay hydrated today.
3 women arrested in $7 million fraud investigation in St. Lucie County
Updated: 2:34 PM EDT Jul 17, 2026
Three women have been arrested after a lengthy investigation into an alleged fraud scheme that detectives say cost a St. Lucie County business nearly $7 million over seven years. Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Laura Beth Grasso, 43, of Fort Pierce, worked as the business’s bookkeeper and comptroller and is accused of using her position to move millions of dollars through unauthorized wire transfers. Detectives said she allegedly bypassed company procedures and transferred money from the business’s bank accounts to third parties.Investigators said Grasso allegedly worked with Sheri Lynn Harrs, 38, of Fort Pierce, and Tina Marie Mejia, 55, of Port St. Lucie, to issue duplicate payroll payments that benefited themselves and one another. Detectives also allege that Grasso provided additional payments and covered personal expenses for Harrs and Mejia to keep them from reporting the activity. Authorities said money obtained through the alleged scheme was spent on luxury vehicles, vacations, jewelry, designer items and other personal expenses. Grasso was arrested on charges of first-degree grand theft, racketeering, organized fraud and money laundering. Mejia and Harrs were each arrested on charges of first-degree grand theft, racketeering and organized fraud. Get the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. —
Three women have been arrested after a lengthy investigation into an alleged fraud scheme that detectives say cost a St. Lucie County business nearly $7 million over seven years.
Stay up to date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Laura Beth Grasso, 43, of Fort Pierce, worked as the business’s bookkeeper and comptroller and is accused of using her position to move millions of dollars through unauthorized wire transfers. Detectives said she allegedly bypassed company procedures and transferred money from the business’s bank accounts to third parties.
Hearst Owned
3 arrested following alleged 7 year fraud scheme that cost local business over $7 million
Investigators said Grasso allegedly worked with Sheri Lynn Harrs, 38, of Fort Pierce, and Tina Marie Mejia, 55, of Port St. Lucie, to issue duplicate payroll payments that benefited themselves and one another.
Detectives also allege that Grasso provided additional payments and covered personal expenses for Harrs and Mejia to keep them from reporting the activity. Authorities said money obtained through the alleged scheme was spent on luxury vehicles, vacations, jewelry, designer items and other personal expenses.
Grasso was arrested on charges of first-degree grand theft, racketeering, organized fraud and money laundering. Mejia and Harrs were each arrested on charges of first-degree grand theft, racketeering and organized fraud.
Get the latest weather updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.