A. Ernest Cruz

First, they sued their former accountant, A. Ernest Cruz, who was convicted of grand theft for taking money earmarked for improvements at a West Broward park their company manages.Cruz remains in prison and has appealed an order that he pay $1.01 million in restitution.

The Bridges also sued Cruz's brother, his sister and his parents, as well as his ex-wife and her parents.The couple bought half the duplex where Cruz's parents live and are trying to force a sale that could result in their eviction.

So far, the Bridges have won judgments against Cruz, his wife and the bank that handled the business account Cruz depleted.
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"They are so angry that they are convinced that A. Ernest Cruz had to have either assistance in pulling this off or his family members benefited in some way," Said Chambers of Fort Lauderdale's Benson, Moyle & Chambers.
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The Bridges hired Cruz in 1985 as an accountant and business consultant for Everglades Holiday Park.Cruz helped the Bridges open a money market account at Ambassador Savings.Without the Bridge's knowledge, Kneski said, Cruz managed to get a signature card for the account.
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In one case, now pending in Dade Circuit Court, the Bridges bought half of a $120,000 duplex from the trustee of Ernest Cruz's bankruptcy for about $6,000 as part of their attempt to recoup their losses.