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Man accused of embezzlement at Deerwood back out on bail

Times Staff Writer
Published February 25, 2004

Jeffrey Ryan Alcantara, the man accused of embezzling money from Deerwood Academy, spent a week in the Pasco County jail after his $200,000 bail was revoked by the All American Bail Bond Co. on Feb. 15.

He was released on bail again on Monday with a new bond company, AA Goodfellas. Alcantara was arrested in June 2003 on 75 charges, including racketeering, grand theft, forgery and money laundering, all related to missing funds from the charter school. Alcantara, 51, began working at Deerwood Academy 28 months after being released from federal prison, where he served time on theft, fraud and drug charges. Deerwood Academy, plagued by financial problems, closed on Oct. 10.

After his arrest, Alcantara was held at the Pasco County jail with bail set at $500,000. InDecember, a judge reduced his bail to $200,000. His case is set for trial in March.

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