Former Verzasca developer, ex-prez of JetSmarter, arrested in Fort Lauderdale

Former Verzasca Group developer Gennady Barsky was arrested in Fort Lauderdale and is facing extradition to California, where he’s wanted on grand theft charges. 

Barsky, the former executive chairman of Verzasca, worked on projects like Aurora in Sunny Isles Beach. Most recently, he was president of JetSmarter, a private Fort Lauderdale-based jet charter used frequently by luxury real estate agents. Verzasca partnered with JetSmarter about a year ago to offer buyers at Aurora a one-year membership included with the purchase of a unit.

Barksy was arrested on Feb. 16 and released into his wife’s custody on a $150,000 bond, according to the Sun Sentinel. He’s wanted on five counts of grand theft by embezzlement. If he turns himself into California authorities by March 3, Barksy won’t have to return to court in Fort Lauderdale for a hearing on March 6.

JetSmarter, which is not involved in the case, said in a statement days later that he resigned “due to personal reasons unrelated to the company.”

Barsky worked for Verzasca as late as March 2015. The Bay Harbor Islands-based development company said in a statement to The Real Deal that he hasn’t been affiliated with the firm or its projects since early 2015. [Sun Sentinel] – Katherine Kallergis