Cocoa Bank & Trust Company (Cocoa, FL)

Episode Information

Episode UID
63024871547
Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Bank ID
6302487 routing
Routing Number
63-0248
Start Date
November 1, 1928*
Location
Cocoa, Florida (28.386, -80.742)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
290fbf4ed6a96ff0

Response Measures

None

Description

Closure followed discovery of embezzlement/shortages and bank was placed in receivership; no articles describe a depositor run.

Events (3)
1. November 1, 1928* Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Audits revealed shortages and embezzlement by the cashier/vice president (McLeod), prompting suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt
the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company, which closed two weeks ago. The bank suspended operations following audits of the books of the bank.
Source
newspapers
2. December 20, 1928 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Ernest Amos... appointed C. T. Bodifield, of this city, to be receiver for the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company, which closed several weeks ago. ... appointment has been confirmed by Judge Wright, of the Circuit Court.
Source
newspapers
3. June 19, 1930 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Peter Tomasello, Jr., liquidator for the Cocoa Bank and Trust Company... has announced his intentions of seeking the position of Speaker of the House
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (4)
1. November 22, 1928 The Evening Tribune Cocoa, FL
Article from The Evening Tribune, November 22, 1928

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Article Text

RECEIVES SENTENCE OF SEVEN YEARS MONDAY Former Vice President and Cashier of The Cocoa Bank and Trust Company Begins Sentence At State Prison Camp At Raiford. McLeod, former cashier and vice president of the Cocoa Bank and Trust Company, sprang surprise in the circuit court Monday morning when arraigned for trial, when he pleaded guilty to one charge of forgery and one charge of bezzelment, the other charges against him being nolle prossed. Judge W. Wright sentenced McLeod to years at hard labor, two years for the forgery charge and five years for the embezzelment charge. Judge Wright instructed the clerk of the court to the effect that the two-year sentence of McLeod would be served before the five-year term began. McLeod's sentence dated from day. The fact that McLeod plead guilty Monday instead of entering plea of not guilty, as supposed would do. saved the county much money, fact which the judge took into consideration when sentenced the former banker. The court room filled with spectators at time the former banker entered his last plae and was sentenced, bringing close one of the most discussed cases in the history of the county. Mr. McLeod was indicted by the grand jury of the fall term of court, the jury returning several counts against him as result of the vestigations made of the books of the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company, which closed two weeks ago. is alleged that the former cashier and executive vice president was responsible for shortage amounting to The bank suspended operations following audits of the books of the bank. Mr. McLeod was allowed day's time by the court for transacting whatver business he might have transact and for doing whatever things he might wish. He left yesterday morning in company with an officer for Raiford, where he will begin his seven years

2. December 20, 1928 The Evening Tribune Cocoa, FL
Article from The Evening Tribune, December 20, 1928

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Article Text

Bodifield Receiver For Cocoa Bank & Trust Company Garden Club Has Good Plant Sale Here Monday The Garden Club conducted its annual plant sale in the Bellair Arcade Monday, which brought the club $32.00 in cash for the work of the day. The money derived from the will be devoted to the beautification program of the club. Comptroller Made Appointment Last Week Confirmed By Judge Wright On Tuesday Of This Week. Ernest Amos. Comptroller for the State of Florida, on Friday of last week appointed C. T. Bodifield, of this city, to be receiver for the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company, which closed several weeks ago. Following the inventory of the assets of the bank made by T. Hawkins. of the Comptroller's office, the comptroller after perusing the report and making offers for reorganization of the bank, appointed Mr. Bodifield to take charge of the bank as receiver for the depositors. It is said that the Comptroller gave the directors of the bank the right to reorganize the bank for opening end set a definite date on which the negotiations for reorganization should close. However, efforts for reorganization failed, with the result that receiver was named. The receiver, is well known in this section, having lived here several years ago, when he was prominently connected with civic and political affairs, at one time being member of the City Council. His success at being named receiver for the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company was made through his friends, depositors of the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company, who petitioned the Comptroller for his appointment. Mr. Bodifield returned to Cocoa several weeks ago from California. where he and his wife had made their home for the past three years. When seen by a Tribune reporter this week following his appointment by the Comptroller and confirmation by Judge Wright, Mr. Bodifield said: "As rumored for the past few days, have been appointed by the Comptroller receiver for the Cocoa Bank & Trust Coepany. Also the appointment has been confirmed by Judge Wright, of the Circuit Court. "This appointment feel is due to the many signatures on petition circulated asking the Comptroller to appoint me, and want to tell the people that appreciate the confidence and trust they had in wanting me for receiver. "I realize that as receiver of the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company have job that will take both time and hard work. want to assure the depositors that everything possible will be done to realize as fully as possible on assets, expenses will be watched at every point, for feel that every dollar saved will be to the interest of all depositors. "I shall do all in my power to justify the confidence placed in me by my many friends," said the receiver. Mr. Bodifield has already entered upon his new duties, and had inserted in The Tribune this week a notice, which asks that every person having claim against the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company to file their claims with him within twelve months from this date, and that unless same was done, claims of individuals or others would be forever barred under provisions of the laws of the State.

3. August 1, 1929 The Evening Tribune Cocoa, FL
Article from The Evening Tribune, August 1, 1929

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Article Text

Receiver Cocoa Bank & Trust Co. Pleased With Collections Made Here P. Tomasello, Jr., receiver for the defunct Cocoa Bank & Trust Company, reported Tuesday that he was well pleased with the way collections have come in since he took charge of the bank's affairs as the representative of the depositors. When asked for a statement relative to the progress being made Mr. Tomasello said: "You may say that am well pleased with the collections made thus far as Receiver of the Cocoa Bank & Trust Company, and am thoroughly appreciative of the cooperative support shown by debtors as well as forbearance of the credi-

4. June 19, 1930 The Evening Tribune Cocoa, FL
Article from The Evening Tribune, June 19, 1930

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Article Text

PETER TOMASELLO IS CANDIDATE FOR SPEAKER OF HOUSE Okeechobee Representative, Bank Receiver Here, Announces. Peter Tomasello, Jr., liquidator for the Cocoa Bank and Trust Company. the Breyard County Bank & Trust Company, and four other banks. who is representative in the state legislature from Okeechobee county, has announced his intentions of seeking the position of Speaker of the House at the next session of the Florida Legislature. Mr. Tomasello served in the last session of the legislature and was a member of the following committees: Chairman, Committee on Public Roads and Highway Department; Committee on Banks Loans, Canals and Drainage, Efficiency, Fi, nance and Taxation, Insurance, Legislative Expenses, Public Amusements, Public Health, Public Utilities and Railroad, Telephone and Telegraph. Mr. Tomasello, who is only 30 years of age, announced his candidacy for Speaker of the House this week. Titusville received for furnishing material, equipment and la bor for constructing about 12 miles of road in Brevard county. IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY THIRD JUDI CLAL CIRCUIT FLORIDA BREVARD CITY OF COCOA, municipal IN CHANCERY NO. VERA PACK ARD and ROY ARD. her BILL TO FORECLOSE who persons are have TAX LIEN. any interest in, right to. liens on the real tate (except and the TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN WHEREAS of corporation. has the Court for bill fore. close lien for the of Cocon for the 1925. 1927 and 1928 against that certain tract land and the City as follows Beginning at post the center of the chains and 85 south lot No. section 28. township 24 south. range 36 East, from live oak bears at 13 degrees 30 minutes east degrees west distant east minutes 13 chains and links to Indian River. stone bluff marks the thence 20 the river bank 99 links, thence west (variation 30 minutes) and 39 links of public to the be The said given of September 3rd. and the same land Elijah Mattie by dated 3rd. and recorded Deed Book pubrecords and the years as the Vera upon of the Attorney All any interest whether Hen holders or other-