Joe Dono Joseph M. Dono (Scam-Artist) Strikes again!

S

slabbius

Member
Hello All,

I come here to hopefully find some assistance in tracking down and recovering stolen merchandise from Joe Dono. I have posted this same letter in tamparacing forum trying to find some help. I know many of you have experience with this loser and was pray that perhaps some kind soul would be able to assist me.

I currently reside in Orlando and my roommate was contacted by Dono through craigslist regarding the rental of professional video equipment (A Panasonic HVX-200 and a lighting package). My roommate had Dono bring a copy of his DL and also sign a contract for a rental period of 24 hours. Dono never returned the equipment and later stated over the phone that he had a production assistant return the gear. The gear was never returned.

We discovered that Dono was a scam artist after contacting the Hernando police, but they were not helpful at all.

My roommate has contact both the Orange county police and the Hernando county police regarding the matter, but was told it is only a "civil case" and would have to take Dono to court.

My roommate is crushed because video production is his life and the way he generates income. If anyone could possibly be of any help, I greatly appreciate it.


Thank you for your time.

P.S. My roommate also looked up his Dono's mother's info and spoke to her. He said that she sounded like she wasn't going to be of much help either.
 
Your roommate has a contract, take him to court. Small claims in FL is for only 5K or below so you will need to file a civil complaint. Knowing this douchebag he won't show up for court and your roommate will win be default.
 
If he doesn't show up to court and my roommate wins by default, how will he collect? I am unfamiliar with how the judicial system works. How do you file a civil complaint? Does the judge have the thief make payments?

We don't know where to start. The police haven't been of much help either.
 
Consult an attorney. I believe there is a criminal case here, based on Florida title XLVI 812.01 (theft) and 817 (fraud) among other items.

The cops may just be lazy or uninformed (or overworked) here. There appears to be a criminal violation, not just civil (but I don't know Florida law and I'm not a lawyer). Sadly, if you were a big store and called the cops on a shoplifter, they'd probably come running. Well, you are a business and you've been a victim of theft by fraud.

You may also try the local district attorney's office, since this guy is a serial offender you may be able to get them interested in pursuing him.

Good luck!

http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0812/titl0812.htm
 
donoe.jpg
 
The value of what you rented to him matters. I'm not sure what the value is in your state but usually anything over the $500-$1000 range is considered a felony. Anything under is a misdemeanor. File the paperwork for court, if he doesn't show he has an outstanding felony warrant.
 
Don't start messaging his family. Harassing them can make you look bad in a court case, which is what you need.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top