The defense attorney representing the former Leesburg Art Festival executive director has filed a motion to continue the trial.
Attorney Bradley Bonifacino is representing the former Arts Festival executive, Maria Stefanovic, 44, whose case was set for a jury trial for the week of Oct. 23. Attorney Bonifacino indicated in his Sept. 27 motion to continue that he needed more time to complete the discovery process. He also filed a waiver of right to a speedy trial so he could complete preparation.
The executive director of the Leesburg Art Festival Inc. also known as the Leesburg Center for the Arts was arrested on a charge of grand theft on April 18.
An investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office began when board members of the Leesburg Art Festival reported they suspected their executive director had stolen funds totaling $4,123.74 during 2021 and 2022. When confronted by new board members, Stefanovic, gave the board a list of 19 transactions which benefited herself and the company she owns, Water Gypsy Coffee Company. She tendered a cashiers check from her company to the Leesburg Center for the Arts in the amount of $2,370.94 on Oct.17, 2022. Stefanovic resigned her position in October of last year.
A Lake County detective subpoenaed bank records and along with other documents was able to determine an alleged pattern of misuse of the Center’s credit card by Stefanovic. An audit of the documents revealed 34 transactions whereby Stefanovic used the credit card to benefit herself or her business. In several instances she bought items on Amazon where the sole method of payment was her employer’s credit card and then returned the items in exchange for gift cards in her own name. She also used the employer’s credit card to order Instacart delivery of grocery items to her home and business.
The motion to continue will be heard on Oct.12.
