Florida fugitive Denise Harvey and her husband, Charles, left a long trail of unpaid debts behind when they fled to Pike Lake in Saskatchewan nearly a year ago.
Records obtained by The StarPhoenix from various U.S. agencies indicate they owe tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid tax to the Internal Revenue Service, have been successfully sued by suppliers or business partners, failed to make mortgage and tax payments on their nearly $1-million home, which was seized and auctioned off, and have been delinquent on child support payments from Charles' previous relationship.
"I'm happy to see the locals (in Saskatchewan) learn about the real Harveys," said a Florida man with knowledge of the Harvey's business dealings. The man spoke on condition of anonymity.
When reached by telephone Thursday, Charles Harvey said he'd consider an interview request and would call back late in the afternoon, but he did not.
Denise Harvey, 45, sentenced in Florida to 30 years in prison for having sex with a 16-year-old baseball teammate of her son's, has claimed refugee status in Canada, arguing the sentence amounts to "cruel and unusual punishment."
Her actions would not be considered criminal in Canada, where the age of sexual consent is 16. And even though the age of consent in Florida is 18, many there were shocked by the apparently harsh sentence. Canada does not normally extradite unless the actions are considered criminal here.
Harvey, however, could be deported to the U.S. for entering Canada illegally.
She has been released from prison on a $5,000 bond while her refugee claim is evaluated, a process that could take months or even years.
While many in Florida and Saskatchewan sympathize with Denise Harvey's predicament, some of those who have had business dealings with the Harveys do not.
"They will take off from Pike Lake, I promise you that," said the Florida man who has dealt with the Harveys.
Ron Barnett, the Florida bail bondsman who put up her $150,000 bail guarantee, is angry she fled, but he also angry Canada is not sending her back to Florida. He must now pay the courts the $150,000.
According to a 2010 IRS document, Charles Harvey owes more than $30,000 in unpaid taxes from 2004 to 2007. A document on the website for the Martin County Court of Clerks says Charles Harvey was delinquent on various child support payments to his ex-wife.
Although he was not convicted criminally, in 2008 Charles was charged in Florida with "felony third-degree grand theft."