Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 14, 2002
Man gets probation, ordered to pay $7,200 for exploitation
A Palm Harbor man Wednesday was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay $7,200 restitution to a disabled employer whose bank account he raided to feed a crack cocaine habit, according to court records. Jamie A. Hyden, 38, pleaded no contest and was adjudicated guilty on a charge of exploiting a disabled adult. Authorities charged Hyden last September with stealing the money in less than four weeks from a former computer salesman who uses a wheelchair as a result of a stroke. The victim had hired Hyden to live with him rent-free and receive $125 a week in exchange for doing housework, shopping, cooking and driving. Last October, another former caregiver, 29-year-old Alexander Blaszczyk, pleaded guilty to similar charges involving the same victim. He was sentenced to six months in jail, four years of probation and was ordered to pay $12,252 restitution.
TARPON SPRINGS -- Toni Van Pelt, the past president of the Florida chapter of the National Organization for Women, will speak to the Suncoast chapter of the Americans for Separation of Church and State at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E Lemon St. The meeting is free and open to the public. Call (727) 942-1112.
PALM HARBOR -- Palm Harbor United Methodist Church will hold a children's festival 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature magic, a petting zoo, clowns, crafts, a karate demonstration, obstacle course, face painting, pony rides and a special area for preschoolers. The cost is $5 for children 2 and older. The church is on 21st Street, off Nebraska Avenue. Call (727) 785-7487.