Two Florida men have been indicted in what prosecutors describe as a scheme to steal more than $100 million from a nonprofit that managed funds for people with disabilities and special needs. https://t.co/z4ZpN4tbyh
Founder steals $100M from his FL disability nonprofit, buys properties, feds say https://t.co/letVBKQugD
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Federal prosecutors have charged Clearwater businessman Leo J. Govoni and Tampa accountant John Witeck with orchestrating a scheme that siphoned more than $100 million from the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, a nonprofit that managed funds for people with disabilities. An indictment unsealed on 23 June in Tampa lists counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, money-laundering conspiracy, bank fraud and a false bankruptcy declaration. The nonprofit, co-founded by Govoni in 2000, oversaw roughly 2,000 trust accounts containing about $200 million. Prosecutors say that between 2009 and 2024 the pair drained at least 1,500 of those trusts—money set aside to cover medical and living expenses for injured and disabled beneficiaries—before the organization collapsed into bankruptcy last year. Investigators contend the defendants funneled trust assets through Govoni’s Boston Finance Group and other entities, then used the cash for private jet travel, luxury sports suites, Kentucky Derby trips and to bankroll more than 100 personal business ventures, including Big Storm Brewing. Witeck is accused of masking the shortfalls by sending falsified annual account statements to clients. Govoni, 67, and Witeck, 60, were arrested last week in Pinellas County. If convicted on all counts, Govoni faces up to 265 years in prison and Witeck up to 220. “The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable,” U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said, crediting a joint investigation by the FBI, IRS and Social Security Administration. The case is continuing.
