Florida Homeowner Staged House Fire ‘Hate Crimes’ After Falling Behind on Bills

A Florida man is facing multiple charges after he allegedly staged a pair of house fires and claimed they were racially motivated attacks when he fell behind on home payments.

George Carneiro was arrested in connection with the March 13 blazes that caused “extensive property damage” at two newly built, vacant homes he owned in Clay Hill {snip}

The incidents were initially investigated as hate crimes after deputies found signs with swastikas and emblazoned with the words “Latinos are not welcome” at the scene, WTLV reported.

Officials now believe that Carneiro staged the fires after bank records indicated he was significantly behind on payments for both properties {snip}

The investigation found video evidence of one of Carneiro’s employees purchasing fuel tanks with cash at Walmart the day before the fires.

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