Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/260020
allegations that he continued to rent the Sabal Drive house as a structure with 12 bedrooms after work was undertaken by a Bradenton contractor last year to bring the house into compliance with the county code and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations regarding construction in flood zones. All bedrooms and bathrooms on the first level were removed, county Code Enforcement staff notified the county Building Department staff. The number of bedrooms was reduced to six, based on information from a popular rental property website. Siegel previously advertised the Sabal Drive house on the Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO) website as a property belonging to Siesta Resorts. However, the Sarasota News Leader has learned that the house is being featured on a different VRBO link, which says it is under new ownership as of 2013. The link adds the house is a "brand new" 2,700-square-foot private residence with a "View of wrap-around lakefront" and that it is just "Steps to the Gulf of Mexico." The house is on a canal, as documented by aerial views of the property from Google Maps. The VRBO site shows the residence at 6537 Sabal Drive on Siesta Key. If a user clicks on "Location," information comes up that the house is "150 metres" from Siesta Key Beach. However, the house is on the east side of Midnight Pass Road, near the Stickney Point Road intersection. In mid-July 2013, the house at 6537 Sabal Drive had a number of cars — from several states — parked in the driveway. File photo Sarasota News Leader February 14, 2014 Page 23