Miami: Former executive accused of embezzling $1.2 million intended for the homeless
Thomas Jardon, former director of housing at Citrus Health Network, is accused of using companies under his control to collect rent and furniture payments that allegedly never reached the beneficiaries. The organization has already reimbursed the county for the money.
A homeless person sits in the shade of a beach umbrella during a heat wave in Miami
Thomas Jardon, former director of housing at the nonprofit organization Citrus Health Network, remains in custody and faces 57 criminal charges for an alleged scheme to embezzle more than $1.2 million belonging to the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, funds intended to provide housing and assistance to homeless people.
The main case against Jardon remains open despite the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office deciding to drop a separate drug case that arose during the operation leading to his arrest, according to NBC Miami reported. The decision regarding that separate case does not affect the charges of fraud, conspiracy, grand theft and fraudulent use of personal information facing the former executive.
According to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, the investigation began after Citrus Health Network employees detected irregularities in late 2025. An internal audit subsequently referred the case to the county's Office of the Inspector General.
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Shell companies, leases and furniture
Investigators allege that Jardon created companies such as Coral Key Partners LLC, Buendia LLC, and Tito Management LLC to pose as owners or managers of properties that were supposedly being rented to beneficiaries of homeless programs.
According to the district attorney's office, Jardon allegedly forged signatures on lease agreements and authorized payments to those companies, which were under his control. Citrus Health Network paid the alleged rent and subsequently sought reimbursement from the county's Homeless Trust.
Authorities are also investigating a second scheme involving Express Furniture Solutions, a company that allegedly billed for furniture that was never delivered to beneficiaries. Approximately $559,400 was obtained through this scheme alone, according to the district attorney's office.
The Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust is the county's primary agency responsible for coordinating programs for the homeless and administers funds and grants for more than a hundred housing and service programs.
Rolex watches, vehicles and works of art
Among the purchases identified by investigators are two Rolex watches valued at $19,000 each, an 18-karat Cuban gold chain, 12 lithographs purchased from an art dealer in Switzerland, designer clothing, travel and four new vehicles.
Citrus Health Network conducted an internal review and reimbursed the county more than $1.2 million. Authorities stated that they found no evidence that the organization's founder, Mario Jardon, the defendant's father, or other members of its leadership were aware of or participated in the alleged fraud.
The case first came to light last September. Court records cited by local media indicate that Jardon faces charges including participation in organized crime, an organized scheme to defraud, multiple counts of grand theft and identity theft-related offenses.
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