Latest news with #8OnYourSide
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Attorney General Pam Bondi fires local federal prosecutor involved in Jan. 6 criminal cases, Leo Govoni case
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Department of Justice fired at least three prosecutors involved in U.S. Capitol riot criminal cases. 8 On Your Side obtained one of the termination letters that was signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The letter did not provide a reason for the removal from the Federal Service, effective immediately, citing only 'Article II of the United States Constitution and the laws of the United States.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 On Your Side has learned that U.S. Attorney General and Temple Terrace native, Pam Bondi, has fired assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Gordon. Gordon was one of many federal prosecutors who worked on cases involving the January 6th rioters. Gordon was also the lead prosecutor on the Leo Govoni case. Daughter blames Leo Govoni for dad's death after funds for chemo treatment went missing The Pinellas County businessman accused of draining $100 million from special needs trusts meant to help disabled people and their families was criminally indicted two weeks ago. Govoni's personal accountant, John Witeck, was also arrested. They two are facing 15 grand jury charges: conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and false bankruptcy declaration. The letter we obtained is dated dated June 27, 2025. That is one day after Gordon argued in federal court for Govoni not to be released pending trial. The letter did not include a reason for termination. Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller reached out to the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Middle District of Florida, and a spokesperson wrote, 'The case against Leo Govoni and John Witeck will proceed as scheduled.' The spokesperson would not comment on Gordon's termination. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leo Govoni's accountant John Witeck embezzled $100 million from disabled people nationwide, federal prosecutors say
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Leo Govoni, 67, was found liable for more than $100 million in missing money, and now, he's locked up. 8 On Your Side is taking a closer look at the other person arrested in this massive fraud case: the man accused of cooking the books. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Our investigation for the past year and a half has focused on Govoni, who founded the local non-profit, but federal investigators said he wasn't the only one who embezzled prosecutors said Govoni and his longtime accountant, John Witeck, built their scheme on convincing their victims their money was safe. Pinellas County businessman Leo Govoni criminally charged According to Witeck's LinkedIn, he's an army vet, a college graduate, and a certified accountant. Prosecutors said he was complicit in the massive fraud scheme hand in hand with Govoni. Prosecutors said Govoni took millions from disabled people and their families while he lived a lavish life, complete with luxury boxes at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and the Kentucky Derby, property in three states and even a private jet for his personal 15-count federal indictment, released on Monday, alleged that Govoni used his now bankrupt non-profit, the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, 'like a 100-million-dollar piggy bank.' Prosecutors said Govoni had help draining the trust accounts of hundreds, if not thousands, of disabled victims. When FBI agents took Govoni into custody, they also scooped up Govoni's longtime accountant, John and Witeck co-founded Fiduciary Tax & Accounting Services in 2014. State records show the business had been operating out of a building on Main Street in Safety Harbor. Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller was told as of a few months ago, they sold the property. Prosecutors have already ordered the seizure of 13 other properties in Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky totaling at least $88 million. The properties were allegedly purchased using money taken from Center for Special Needs clients. That's money that Witeck was supposed to help safeguard, but prosecutors said that's not what happened. 'Witeck's job was to protect the trust beneficiaries by providing accurate financial statements to them on a routine basis,' Interim U.S. Attorney Greg Kehoe said. 'He was supposed to keep track of their money, but instead, he joined the fraud scheme and misled the victims.'Kehoe said Witeck signed off on statements that told center clients their money was safe. Govoni and Witeck sent annual false accounting statements to their victims, promising that their money was in investments when in reality, their money was already in Govoni and Witeck's pockets and their investigators said Witeck also helped Govoni create his elaborate network of businesses.'Mr. Govoni allegedly set up over 100 shell companies,' said Matthew Fodor, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Field Office. Agents said Witeck and Govoni passed off some of those businesses as 'investments,' but meanwhile, their victims never saw a penny and struggled to survive. 'It means so much just to know that we found justice once and for all after 10 years of fighting this, it's absolutely incredible,' said Kimberly Muszynski, Abby's mom. 'I feel so much relief and I'm so glad the right thing was finally done.' John Witeck was released on a $500,000 secured bond. Govoni remains behind bars at the Pinellas County jail. Govoni's next court date is Thursday, June 26th for a detention hearing and 8 On Your Side will be there. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tow truck driver damages Pasco man's new septic system while looking for stuck Amazon truck
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Jerry Wolfe said he was shocked to discover a tow truck stuck in his Pasco County backyard, with one tire partially buried in his newly installed septic tank system. Wolfe told 8 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken that the driver told him he was following GPS coordinates to locate a stuck Amazon delivery truck, which he claimed led him 60 paces past Wolfe's shed and onto his private property. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'I said, 'Well, why didn't you get out and look, this is my backyard, this is private property and you're buried in my leach field and you just crushed my septic tank and he said he was just trying to do his job, trying to find the Amazon truck,'' Wolfe said. The tow truck belonged to Pinellas Towing & Transport. After another tow truck arrived to pull the stuck vehicle free, Wolfe discovered significant damage to his septic system. Wolfe said the driver told him the manager would be available Monday to discuss the issue. However, Wolfe said he left multiple messages with no response, so he called Better Call Behnken for help. WATCH: Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested on racketeering charges He said he spent $3,700 to repair the septic system. 'Please, just own up to the mistake,' Wolfe said. 'Contact me, and let's get this worked out.' Behnken left a message, and hours later, the manager called back, saying this fell through the cracks, but he would make this right. Thursday evening, Wolfe sids a check for the full amount was hand-delivered to his home. Behnken will follow up after Wolfe is able to cash the check. The tow truck manager told Behnken this was an honest mistake, and he would take care of covering the costs of the damages. The Amazon truck was located about a quarter mile down the road, Wolfe said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Debris presents risks': Debris piles remain from Hurricane Milton at Lakeland retirement community
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — For the first time in two months, and at the start of a new hurricane season, the city of Lakeland picked up debris from Hurricane Milton at The Estates at Carpenters. What caused the delay and what will happen in the future are still unclear. 'With the population that we serve, debris presents risk,' said Brian Robare, CEO and executive director at The Estates of Carpenters. 'Depending on the strength of the storm, it also can have projectiles and damage to buildings and cars, and most of all, people.' The Estates at Carpenters is a continuing care retirement community in Lakeland that houses over 400 senior citizens, most over the age of 85. Robare said not a meeting goes by without residents expressing concerns about the piles of debris that remain from Hurricane Milton. One of the residents contacted 8 On Your Side with concerns about safety. 'I am never surprised with what our residents do. It's a large enough concern, and they know from this standpoint it's not us,' said Robare. Robare said the city of Lakeland has, since at least Hurricane Charley in 2004, picked up hurricane debris from a designated spot inside the community. Records from the city show nine debris pickups at The Estates at Carpenters between February 3rd and April 1st, with 184 cubic yards collected. But as of June 3rd, piles of debris remain. The city's communications director, Kevin Cook, said FEMA regulations require debris pickup on public right of way, not on private property. 'Have you been told that?' asked 8 On Your Side reporter Staci DaSilva. 'No, we have not. That would be wonderful information to have whenever we first filed the form with the city,' said Robare. After calls from 8 On Your Side, Robare said the city picked up at least two loads of debris Tuesday afternoon. 'Not only would we like this issue addressed, we'd like to know what the city would like us to do in future storms,' said Robare. Confusion remains over whether debris collection from the City of Lakeland on private property is a paid-for service and where the debris should be left. 'If you look at the way the road in front of our campus, which is Carpenters Way, runs, there would be no place to put the amount of debris that we had after this or any other hurricane,' said Robare. Kevin Cook said he would 'get to the bottom of the issue.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dozens of Breakthru Beverage truck drivers go on strike in Tampa and across the state
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Teamsters went on strike to protest what they said are unfair labor practices at Breakthru Beverage's in Tampa. It's a part of a statewide work stoppage that will also impact the company's operations in places like Fort Myers, Orlando and Tallahassee. From early Tuesday morning through the afternoon, workers were chanting that they are Teamsters and what they want is a fair contract. 'All they really want is a fair day's work for a fair day's pay,' said Brandon Sosnoff, with Teamsters Local 79. 'I've been a driver for the company for the past 10 years, and all they've done is just take stuff from us. That's all they've done in the past. Many, many years, and it's time for us to put a stop on it,' said Yuniel Sancillena, who has been a driver for a decade. Everyone at the union is on strike to demand higher wages as well as better benefits and working conditions. Those behind the wheel said they will protest until they get what they deserve. 'They're laughing at us, and we're going to continue out here, as long as it takes, as long as we've got to be out for, we're going to be out here fighting for what we deserve. Truck drivers deserve better than what they do to us,' Sancillena said. Breakthru is one of the largest alcohol beverage wholesalers in the country, operating in 15 states and Canada. When the drivers got to the negotiating table, they said they were left disappointed. 'The company dropped their last, best, and final offer on us. Essentially, it was just a wage cut. Not increasing health insurance, no retirement benefits. It was just a slap in the face to these drivers, and they said we've got to hit the streets,' Sosnoff said. The drivers said if the strike continues, ramifications will be felt locally and throughout the state. 8 On Your Side's Alessandra Young asked those on strike what the worst-case scenario might be for consumers if the strike continues. 'This is definitely going to be a huge impact when it comes to customers and businesses, they are going to need the product. Obviously, they don't have the manpower to get the product out. Every single driver is going to be out here, no one is going in to move those trucks, unless we get a better contract, and they're going to feel it,' Sancillena said. 'It is going to have a huge impact, because they got a lot of trucks that have got to go out and a lot of products that have to go out and there are many customers that will be waiting on product.' The drivers said they will be out on strike for as long as it takes for them to get the contract they want to see. 8 On Your Side reached out to Breakthru Beverage for a response. 'While we respect the rights of our associates, we are disappointed that our Northern Florida drivers, represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have initiated a strike,' the company wrote in a statement. 'We have contingency plans in place to ensure minimal disruption to the business. We hope to reach a resolution soon and are committed to maintaining an open and transparent dialog with the union. We value all our hard-working associates and always strive to provide them with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a positive work environment,' Breakthru wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
