TAMPA, Fla. — Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging two Tampa Bay males in reference to a sweeping fraud and cash laundering scheme that allegedly siphoned greater than $100 million from a Clearwater-based nonprofit that managed funds for people with disabilities and particular wants.
Leo John Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, and John Leo Witeck, 60, of Tampa, face a number of federal expenses, together with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit cash laundering, and different associated offenses. Govoni additionally faces separate expenses of financial institution fraud, an unlawful financial transaction, and making a false chapter declaration.
The indictment alleges the fraud happened over a 16-year interval, from June 2009 via Might 2025, and in the end led to the chapter of the Heart for Particular Wants Belief Administration (CSNT), a nonprofit based by Govoni in 2000. The group managed particular wants trusts for over 2,100 beneficiaries nationwide, dealing with roughly $200 million in belongings as of early 2024.
In response to court docket paperwork, Govoni and Witeck used the group as a private slush fund, misappropriating consumer funds to finance luxurious spending, together with actual property purchases, non-public jet journey, and investments in a brewery. The defendants are accused of hiding their theft via fraudulent account statements that misrepresented belief balances to households and beneficiaries.
In February 2024, CSNT filed for chapter, revealing that greater than $100 million in consumer funds had vanished. The fallout left susceptible households and people who trusted these funds with out important monetary assist.
“This fraud is unfathomable,” stated U.S. Legal professional Gregory W. Kehoe for the Center District of Florida. “Defending essentially the most susceptible members of our society is a high precedence, and this case will likely be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the legislation.”
Federal authorities from a number of companies condemned the dimensions and cruelty of the alleged scheme.
“These topics betrayed the belief of the group and bankrupted a lifeline for susceptible households,” stated FBI Assistant Director Jose A. Perez. “The FBI won’t tolerate the exploitation of charitable missions for private achieve.”
IRS Felony Investigation Chief Man Ficco added, “Stealing funds meant to assist folks with particular wants is as merciless as it’s felony.”
Govoni can also be accused of financial institution fraud involving a $3 million mortgage refinance and laundering over $200,000 of the alleged proceeds to pay down a house fairness line of credit score. He’s additional charged with making false declarations in the course of the CSNT chapter proceedings.
The fees carry important penalties: as much as 30 years in jail for financial institution fraud, as much as 20 years for every depend of mail or wire fraud, 10 years for unlawful financial transactions, and 5 years for false chapter declarations.
The investigation was led by the FBI, IRS-Felony Investigation, the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies Workplace of Inspector Basic, and the Social Safety Administration’s Inspector Basic’s Workplace. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon, together with Justice Division trial lawyer Lyndie Freeman.
All defendants are presumed harmless except confirmed responsible in a court docket of legislation.
