A Jacksonville senior-housing employee is facing a criminal charge after investigators say she quietly pocketed rent money meant for residents at Centennial Towers. Officials allege tenants’ mailed money orders were endorsed in the employee’s name, then funneled into her personal bank accounts using a mobile‑deposit app instead of going toward the residents’ rent.
The State Attorney’s Office of the Fourth Judicial Circuit has charged Annie Marie Grant with exploitation of an aged adult, following a criminal referral from the city Office of Inspector General, according to News4JAX. The outlet reports she was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on June 11, 2022, after investigators uncovered irregular deposits tied to residents’ rent payments.
Centennial Towers and its residents
Centennial Towers is a high‑rise senior housing community in downtown Jacksonville with 207 units, listed as part of the Jacksonville Housing Authority portfolio. Residents are primarily older adults on limited incomes, and careful management of monthly rent collections is described as central to how the building operates.
How investigators say the scheme worked
The Office of Inspector General’s review found at least 18 money orders, totaling $6,201, were misappropriated between May 2021 and April 2022. A later Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office analysis identified deposits of at least $10,625.50 into the employee’s accounts, with some funds reportedly shifted into a PayPal account. Evidence cited in the investigation included resident interviews, payment receipts, Centennial Towers ledgers and handwritten statements.
After completing its review, the Office of Inspector General referred the case to the State Attorney’s Office and urged the public to report suspected fraud by calling (904) 255‑5800 or emailing [email protected], according to News4JAX.
Legal stakes and next steps
Under Florida law, exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult carries penalties that increase with the value involved. Less than $10,000 is a third‑degree felony, $10,000 to less than $50,000 is a second‑degree felony, and $50,000 or more is a first‑degree felony. Courts can also order restitution and may hold evidentiary hearings when seized property is valued above $5,000, per the Florida Statutes.
Prosecutors in the Fourth Judicial Circuit will determine whether to take the case to trial, and any defenses or outcomes will ultimately hinge on what is proven in court.
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