Florida Man Arrested for Alleged Contractor Payment Fraud, Police Records Show
www.bocaratontribune.com, Online Staff M, January 15, 2026
Palm Beach County authorities arrested a man on suspicion of defrauding a contractor in a case involving payments for permit work, according to a police report released Thursday.
The suspect, identified as Paulo Almeida Rocha, was taken into custody for an alleged larceny involving contractor payments ranging from $1,000 to $20,000. The arrest is recorded under report number 564734 and was published at 12:00 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2026.
Mr. Rocha is described in the report as a White male. His date of birth was not included in the publicly released record.
The report was filed by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), listed as Agency 01-PBSO. Details about the alleged transaction, including the location of the work or the identities of the contractor(s) involved, were not disclosed.
Authorities emphasized that the arrest reflects suspicion of a crime and does not imply a determination of guilt. Information about formal charges, bond, or court proceedings was not immediately available.
Larceny involving contractor payments for permitted work can carry serious legal consequences, depending on the amount involved and whether the offense is classified as a felony under Florida law.
Updates will follow as additional information becomes available from law enforcement or court records.
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The publication of names, photographs, charges, or allegations is protected under Article I, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and of the press. The Boca Raton Tribune publishes such information in the interest of transparency and accountable governance.
A detainment or arrest does not constitute evidence of guilt. All individuals referenced are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law and are entitled to due process and a fair and public trial.
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