Skip to main content
Mostly Clear icon
52º

90-year-old Florida man accused of feeding homeless

Arnold Abbott faces up to 2 months in prison

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A controversial Fort Lauderdale law is getting some backlash after a 90-year-old man was arrested on a charge of feeding the homeless.

Arnold Abbott is facing up to two months in prison for violating a city ordinance that virtually outlaws groups from sharing food with the hungry.

The Fort Lauderdale mayor said he warned arrests were coming, but Abbott said he is planning on taking legal action.

"I'm going to have to go to court again to sue the city of Fort Lauderdale, the beautiful city," Abbott said. "These are the poorest of the poor. They have nothing. Don't have a roof over their head, and how could you turn them away?"

In 1999, Abbott successfully sued the city for banning him from feeding the homeless on the beach.

Abbott said he will continue to feed the homeless, and while he does not want to be arrested, he is prepared for the possibility.