CASSELBERRY, Fla. — Criminal charges could be filed against a Casselberry commissioner after she allegedly hired a landscaper to remove expensive bougainvillea plants from her neighbor's yard.
Police reports state that Commissioner Sandi Solomon may have hired someone to remove the plants known for their vibrant flowers.
The four 8-foot-tall plants were removed all the way to their roots earlier this month without permission, the neighbor said.
"I would be surprised why that would be bothering anybody. Why would anybody take your shrubbery? That surprises me," neighbor Maureen Larson said.
Larson said she thinks Solomon abuses her power as a commissioner.
The police report stated the victim's saw Solomon's lawn man walking between their houses and then discovered the four plants had been removed.
A few days later, the homeowners received a typewritten note stating they haven't been taking care of their yard, signed 'Sandi.'
"You're allowed to cut the portion that is in your yard, but you're not allowed to go in their yard and take it out. That would be theft. Some plants cost a lot of money," Larson said.
The owners said the plants will cost around $120 to replace.
Solomon’s attorney and the city had no comment on the incident. Solomon would not speak to Channel 9.
According to the police report, the owner's said that they saw a Hispanic man in their backyard last year and he had already removed a bougainvillea tree and allamanda tree from their yard. When asked about why he was trespassing and removing the trees, the man pointed to Solomon's home and said "Sandi told me to. She said it was her property."
WFTV
