Latest news with #Clearwater-based
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mount Dora project with Chick-fil-A, Texas Roadhouse, more gets timeline to open
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. A Lake County retail project with several high-profile tenants likely will see its restaurants debut by the end of the year, according to its developer. Andy Hawkins, development partner for Clearwater-based One Oak Development, told Orlando Business Journal restaurant tenants at Mount Dora Groves South — his firm's 17-acre project on the south side of U.S. 441 in Mount Dora near Loch Levin and adjacent Taylor Morrison's large residential project there — should open by the fourth quarter. These include Chick-fil-A, Texas Roadhouse, First Watch and Mission BBQ, plus a to-be-named restaurant concept negotiating for a 3,000-square-foot space. Heartland Dental also is confirmed as a tenant for the project, which is permitted and under construction, along with a Fifth Third Bank and Circle K. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leo Govoni locked out of his Pinellas County businesses as court seeks to recover $120 million
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — More than $120 million was taken from the disabled, but the Pinellas County businessman responsible for that missing money remains on the street. While Leo Govoni still has his freedom, he no longer has the freedom to do business as he once did. A federal bankruptcy judge has now ordered Govoni to steer clear of his many businesses as investigators search for all that missing money. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The bankruptcy court is trying to help the families, whose money has disappeared, recover some of those missing funds. Officers of the court started their search of Govoni's businesses Thursday morning. Florida 'super speeders' could lose their cars under new bill Video obtained by 8 On Your Side showed equipment being hauled off at Govoni's Clearwater-based business, Big Storm Brewing, on 49th Street Wednesday evening while brewery employees were still serving customers inside. It wasn't until Thursday morning that officers arrived to start the court-ordered search of the facility in search of missing millions connected to Govoni's now bankrupt non-profit, the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration. 'Leo Govoni decided to steal from her now in this year,' said Theresa Schlosser, the mother of one of Govoni's previous special needs clients. 'he has made our struggle more than it ever should have been.' A federal judge found Govoni liable for $120 million that disappeared from the Center for Special Needs. One thousand five hundred families relied on the center to safeguard money meant to help care for their disabled loved ones. Many have since found their accounts drained down to the last dollar. Thursday's search comes after a motion was filed earlier this week by Michael Goldberg, the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Trustee appointed to help find the missing millions.'Until he is stopped and made to comply with Court orders, Mr. Govoni will continue to fleece the most vulnerable members of society,' Goldberg wrote. With the judge's approval, Goldberg has now appointed people to take control of Govoni's Big Storm Brewing, Global Litigation Consultants, Boston Asset Management, and his associated businesses — everything from managing the books to changing the locks on the doors. Govoni is also currently under investigation by the FBI. So far, he has not been charged with any crime. In January, after months of trying to get his side of the story, we caught up with Govoni as he was leaving a Pinellas County bank. Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller asked Govoni: 'Where is the money? Have you heard from the FBI? What would you say to the disabled people who relied on you?' Govoni drove off without answering any of our questions. He has since hired a new attorney, and while we have reached out to them as well, we are still waiting to hear back. 'It might not be today, but tomorrow, sometime, you're going to have to answer for what you did, and I hope it's soon,' said Nicalea Gonzalez, the mother of another affected client. A judge has ordered Sheriff's Offices across Florida to seize properties and goods belonging to Govoni to help repay those missing millions. If Govoni opposes this order or fails to produce the documents a judge has also ordered him to provide, he could be held in contempt of court So far, Govoni hasn't made any statements in court, letting his attorneys do the talking instead, but that could change as an emergency motion is calling on the federal judge overseeing this case to order that Govoni appear in court and explain 'his refusal to cooperate.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
