Originally Posted - July 18, 2006

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MELBOURNE, FLA---A crime scene technician with the Brevard County Sheriff's office and her mother, a former domestic violence investigator for the Brevard County state attorney's office, are free on bond are being arrested on charges of grand theft and exploitation of the elderly involving real estate.

Melinda Maddox, 63, of Melbourne, a former homicide detective with the Melbourne police department, has also been charged with Medicaid fraud and organizing a scheme to defraud.

Maddox is also on the board of trustees for the Municipal Police Officers' Trust Fund in Melbourne.

Maddox had resigned her position with the state attorney's office last May.

Her daughter, Hope Hancock Spadafora, 39, recently resigned from the sheriff's office.

An Aug. 4 court date has been set and if convicted, the women face up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Because of the conflicts involving Brevard County, the case will be prosecuted by the Volusia County state attorney's office. The investigation was conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Details about the alleged real estate scheme have not been released.
7-18-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette