Business briefs, Oct. 21, 2015
PERICO ISLAND -- Manatee County's most prominent farmer-turned-developer has sold off a final chunk of Perico Island land destined to become part of the growing Harbor Isle subdivision.
On Oct. 1, a company controlled by Manatee Fruit Co. President Whiting Preston inked a $4.725 million deal to sell the last of its Perico acreage to Harbor Isle developer Minto Homes.
The sale is the fourth and final takedown of land in a set of transactions that go back to 2012, according to county records. In all Minto has paid $16.9 million for more than 65 acres the fruit company formerly owned at the northwest tip of the island, records show.
The land is now part of Harbor Isle subdivision. The mixed-housing development features single family homes and condominiums and is expected to also feature a separate marina development.
Preston transferred the former fruit company land to a second company, Hayden Lane I LTD, in a 1998 transaction valued at $5.92 million. Preston is the developer of two proposed subdivisions on southwest Manatee County, Lake Flores and Peninsula Bay.
Madoff trustee: Claims under $1.1M to be all paid
NEW YORK -- The trustee recovering money lost by investors with imprisoned financier Bernard Madoff has reported a new milestone, saying a new distribution will mean allowable claims of $1.1 million or less will have been fully reimbursed.
Trustee Irving Picard made the announcement Tuesday as he asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge to approve a $1.18 billion distribution to investors.
In a release, the trustee said the distribution will increase the total amount already returned to investors to about $9.1 billion of $17.5 billion in allowable claims. The trustee has recovered or reached deals to recover about $10.9 billion since the fraud was revealed in December 2008 with Madoff's arrest.
The 77-year-old Madoff is serving a 150-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to fraud charges, admitting his Ponzi scheme lasted decades.
AT&T offers tips to keep mobile devices secure
MANATEE -- As part of National Cyber Security Month, AT&T is offering security on the go tips.
According to an AT&T release, cyber threats are not limited to computers. Cellphones can be infected with malware and viruses similar to those found on computers. Mobile devices are often used for banking and shopping.
To protect against malware, viruses or other threats, AT&T offers these tips:
Keep software up to date. The latest software updates include the best available protections to
help defend against these viruses.
Regularly backup your data and device to avoid any information loss.
Download apps only from trustworthy sources.
Keep your passcodes private. Use more complex passwords to avoid others easily guessing.
Watch your statements closely and report suspicious activity immediately.
Keep security in mind when using your device and think twice before opening an email or a link that you're not familiar with.
Enticing links to viruses and destructive software (called malware) can be transmitted through text messaging from unknown numbers. Some hackers imitate legitimate contacts to lure users.
When in doubt, keep your information private until you can confirm a source is legitimate.
-- Herald staff and wire reportP
This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Business briefs, Oct. 21, 2015 ."