Mothball Suspect: "Innocent"

The “Mothball Mafia” of St. Pete Beach: FWC Drops the Hammer!

The FWC just leveled charges against Robert Czyszczon (owner of Plaza Beach Hotel) and Christopher Monroe (Bar Manager) for allegedly turning a public beach into a chemical wasteland. The motive? Fending off Black Skimmers—a protected bird species—because they were apparently "bad for business."

The Receipts: According to FWC investigators

Texts: Messages complaining that the birds cost them "$25k to $50k" and calling them "the worst."

GPS: Phone records pinned them on the beach the two nights the Moth Balls appeared.

Wal-Mart Run: Investigators found receipts for a massive haul of mothballs just before the "s on the sand.

WFLA’s Ryan Arbogast caught up with Czyszczon after he bonded out Wednesday night. His official stance: "I did not do it and I’m innocent. Simple as that."

But, those Wal-Mart receipts and text logs gotta get figured out...

St. Pete Beach Mayor Scott Tate says the community is "shocked and disappointed."

Whoever Did This: Don't mess with the Skimmers, and definitely don't poison the playground.

Full Story from WFLA: https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/fwc-gives-update-on-100s-of-mothballs-left-on-st-pete-beach/