[outlaw]

Originally Posted by Advogado

I have always thought it likely that the perpetrator(s) were reading, and perhaps participating in, the other thread on this subject. Thus, I am a little suspicious of the posts advocating closing the matter. Bank robbers and other felons (and the tree cutting is a felony) do not get investigations closed by anonymously returning the loot.

Except in this case I believe that was the deal offered by the authorities.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Except in this case I believe that was the deal offered by the authorities.

But how did the authorities come up with this deal? Who was behind the offer? What pressures were brought and by whom to offer such a weak deal?

[Cedwards38]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

Do you remember your post (#83 in another thread) - "Apparently the amnesty offer has not caused the perpetrators to come forward, and why should it! Though I applaud the offer of prosecution amnesty, why should they come forward since it seems we are no closer to solving this crime than we've ever been?"

Sure do. Who came forward?

[TVMayor]

This tree thing reminds me of another mystery in TV. The question, �who put up the wall� on the historical side was never answered along with why.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Except in this case I believe that was the deal offered by the authorities.

According to published reports, it was a deal proposed by 1 CDD board, and I would doubt if the board has that authority. I have never heard of anything like it before. A felon does not get off, elsewhere, by merely returning, anonymously, the loot. Only in The Villages, I guess.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by TVMayor

This tree thing reminds me of another mystery in TV. The question, �who put up the wall� on the historical side was never answered along with why.

Surely you can find a fresher scab than that to pick.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by Advogado

According to published reports, it was a deal proposed by 1 CDD board, and I would doubt if the board has that authority. I have never heard of anything like it before. A felon does not get off, elsewhere, by merely returning, anonymously, the loot. Only in The Villages, I guess.

I read that this was cleared through the state attorney's office or the appropriate FL authorities.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by outlaw

I read that this was cleared through the state attorney's office or the appropriate FL authorities.

If true, it would still be bizarre.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by CWGUY

Do you remember your post (#83 in another thread) - "Apparently the amnesty offer has not caused the perpetrators to come forward, and why should it! Though I applaud the offer of prosecution amnesty, why should they come forward since it seems we are no closer to solving this crime than we've ever been?"

Are you saying there are other posts?

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by outlaw

Look at it as a form of plea bargaining. The state attorney agreed to not prosecute if the perps ponied up the costs to rectify the damage caused. It happens every day in our judicial system.

Deals to drop felony charges in exchange for anonymous restitution do not happen every day in our judicial system. In any event, I guess it's too bad for the perps that the Friends of Lake Miona, instead of the perps, ponied up the money.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

It seems to me the perp(s) should have been required to make restitution for ALL costs involved as well as make a public apology to avoid doing time for their crime. Their continuing anonymity appears to be quite cowardly IMHO.

Did the payment include a note "payment in full"? What makes you think (?) that as additional costs are incurred payment will not be made?

[outlaw]

They are just a few trees. I really can't see someone being imprisoned for cutting down a few trees in a swamp, given that the trees will be replaced anyway. I used to go out into the woods and cut down oak trees for firewood. And this was sanctioned by the federal government.

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Did the payment include a note "payment in full"? What makes you think (?) that as additional costs are incurred payment will not be made?

I think it's safe to assume additional costs will be paid as they occur. Someone wants to make this right, and it is the honorable thing to do. Perhaps they did not realize it was a criminal act.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Advogado

Deals to drop felony charges in exchange for anonymous restitution do not happen every day in our judicial system. In any event, I guess it's too bad for the perps that the Friends of Lake Miona, instead of the perps, ponied up the money.

How do you know that?

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

How do you know that?

How do I know what?