Latest news with #Govoni
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Douglas County parents accused of keeping 3-year-old in shed with no electricity, running water
A pair of Douglas County parents are accused of leaving their toddler in a backyard shed with no supervision. The child wasn't wearing clothing, and police say he didn't have running water for days. A neighbor told Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes that he believes he knows what sparked the investigation about two weeks ago. When Fernandes got to the neighborhood on Thursday, she couldn't find the shed. 'The structure is gone. It's not there anymore,' neighbor Matthew Govoni said. 'I know there was a huge fire with explosions.' Fernandes confirmed that the fire department investigated a fire on Memorial Day weekend. Govoni believes that's what sparked the investigation into the parents leaving a 3-year-old boy in the shed. TRENDING STORIES: Man tries to carjack 2 victims, police say. Then a good Samaritan jumped in to help GA ringleader of fraud scheme sentenced for creating fake recruiting websites to steal identities Police investigate double shooting that left men injured in Greenbrian Mall parking lot Police say the child's father, Joseph Turner, and the mother, Sarah Pobert, caused 'cruel/excessive mental and physical pain to the toddler' by keeping him in a dirty shed behind the house. They said the shed had no running water, no electricity, no adults around, and they said the 3-year-old was dirty with no clothes on. 'With the lifestyle they live, I'm not surprised by any of that, really,' Govoni said. Despite the living conditions, police are calling it criminally negligent. Govoni said the child looked happy on the few occasions he saw him outside. 'I'm saddened for them and the child, but I mean, for the child, I hope they can get to a place where they can be helped,' Govoni said. Both suspects are in their mid-30s, and the neighbor said they've lived in the home for more than a decade.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Govoni given ‘final, final' chance to avoid criminal contempt of court charge
TAMPA — It's been more than a year since Rebekah Bowman learned that $850,000 was missing from the medical trust fund set up for her developmentally delayed son, Kienan Freeman. On Wednesday, she and her son made the 135-mile trip from their Cape Coral home to the federal courthouse in Tampa hoping to see Leo Govoni, the Clearwater businessman accused in court of taking $100 million from trust funds, including Kienan's, sent to jail for contempt of court. But Govoni remained a free man Wednesday and approached Bowman and her son after the hearing. Before she could react, he leaned in and gave her a hug and told her the missing money is 'not what she thinks it is,' she said. She replied back that he had broken his promise to take care of her son's money. 'I'm shaken up right now,' Bowman said in an interview. 'He knows what he did.' Govoni still faces the threat of jail for not complying with court orders to produce personal and business records. Federal bankruptcy Judge Roberta Colton, who found Govoni in contempt on April 28, said she will decide whether to refer his case to federal district court for criminal contempt proceedings at a 'final final hearing' on June 12. The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, which Govoni founded, filed for bankruptcy in February 2024 after officials found paperwork showing a $100 million loan had been made to his company, Boston Finance Group. It was never repaid, leaving the families of disabled and injured people with with no money for medical and living expenses. Govoni lived a lavish lifestyle after the loan was approved, records show. He flew friends on his $3.4 million private jet to watch the Kentucky Derby from his executive suite at Churchill Downs. He doled out hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to politicians. Colton in January ruled that Govoni is liable for the missing money. He is also under investigation by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission. John Dicks, an attorney working for the bankruptcy estate, told Colton during the hearing that Govoni has failed to disclose what he did with the proceeds of roughly $5 million in real estate sales made since November 2021. 'There's been no information at all and no effort,' he said. 'It's like pulling teeth to get any of this.' Buddy Ford, an attorney representing Govoni, did file a tranche of documents one day before the hearing. He told Colton that progress is being made. He has also subpoenaed Joanne Golden, a Pinellas realtor who is the wife of Jonathan Golden, Govoni's former business attorney. Dicks said he hadn't had time to review them all but said there are still many records missing, including an information sheet detailing Govoni's personal finances and one for Boston Finance. The hearing came one day after a Pinellas court judge said he will issue orders requiring the repayment of trust fund money that was transferred from Boston Finance to other Govoni companies. That includes $16 million that was wired to Big Storm Brewing, the craft beer business Govoni ran with his son LJ Govoni. In another effort to recover assets, Colton on Wednesday also approved the sale of a warehouse at 610 Charlotte St. in Punta Gorda owned by Big Storm Real Estate. However, since the purchase was financed through a seller-financed mortgage, the proceeds will only amount to about $173,000. A portion of that money will be made available to families facing urgent medical needs, said Megan Murray, an attorney with Underwood Murray who is representing those owed money by the center. Bowman said she met Govoni in 2004 soon after he son, received an $800,000 award and an annual annuity from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. He had suffered severe seizures after receiving a vaccine when he was 18 months old that affected his development. He relies on a wheelchair and has limited verbal skills. The award and annuity are intended to pay for her son's care for the rest of his life. Freeman is 27. '(Govoni) portrayed himself as being very nice and kind and gentle,' Bowman said. 'He promised that he would take care of the money and help us to grow it.' Like more than 1,500 other families, Bowman received a letter in February 2024 informing her that their trust fund had been compromised and that the center was filing for bankruptcy. There was $200,000 left in the trust, she said. 'It impacts everything,' Bowman said. 'We are blessed in that we had some money. But there are people in this that have zero. They have nothing.'
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
Federal judge finds Leo Govoni in contempt of court, will face daily $5K fine
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Over $120 million dollars taken from disabled people and their families, but the time for excuses may have run out for the Pinellas non-profit founder tied to that missing money. St. Petersburg businessman Leo Govoni was back before a federal judge Friday morning as attorneys try to track down over $120 million tied to Govoni's now bankrupt was given multiple extensions to provide key financial documents but the judge's patience ran out. Those attorneys said they've been stonewalled by Govoni for months. Inside the courtroom, 8 On Your Side saw all the key players, including agents and prosecutors with the Department of Justice. Govoni took the stand for more than an hour. After attorneys questioned him and other witnesses as well as providing evidence, Judge Roberta Colton found Govoni in contempt of court orders. The Judge imposed daily $5,000 fines until he produces personal financial and business records plus attorney's fees and the clock is ticking. Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller asked: 'Mr. Govoni, we have to ask — where is the money? Will the victims ever recover any of the money that went missing? You've heard testimony, these people are suffering.' Govoni did not respond. 'Everybody wanted to make money and that's what they were doing, making money from the most vulnerable sick children and putting it in their own pocket,' said Kimberly Muszynski, Abby's entrusted Govoni's non-profit, the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, to manage her daughter Abby's money she received in a wrongful birth case. Abby has since passed away, but her parents' fight continues for all the Reporter Brittany Muller asked Govoni, 'What would you say to the vulnerable victims who relied on you?' Govoni did not of Govoni's attorneys have dropped him, citing his failure to pay. As of three weeks ago, Govoni has a new lawyer, attorney Buddy Reporter Brittany Muller asked, 'Mr. Ford, do you have anything to say on behalf of your client? No, no comments right now,' responded records show Govoni violated more court orders when he filed for dissolution for 16 of his own companies on March 10. Attorney John Dicks who is representing Chapter 11 Trustee Michael Goldberg in the case said his team discovered Govoni has sold off $1.6 million in real estate since the Center filed for bankruptcy in February of Reporter Brittany Muller asked Govoni, 'What about the millions of dollars that the attorney is mentioned that you're unsure of where it went?'Govoni didn't respond to Brittany but Govoni told the judge he is unsure. Dicks claims G is stonewalling to buy time to move money and assets to other organizations under his control. dicks says that $1.6 million in real estate sales could have gone to victims and vendors Govoni has failed to pay. Govoni's attorney acknowledged that his client has not complied with court orders. Ford for then told the judge he will work to provide the requested records. But if Govoni is in financial trouble how did he pay Ford's fees? Govoni told the judge that his wife, Jane Govoni, covered the retainer.'My committee has victims who are victims of vaccine injuries, victims of car, accidents, paraplegics victims of abortion, I think you reported on it,' said Attorney Megan Murray of the unsecured creditors committee. 'It's amazing that these victims have been able to sustain themselves without the funds that they once had in this estate.'Murray represents the victims. She called Govoni's testimony 'a complete disregard for the victim's welfare.'If Govoni does not produce the court ordered documents by May 12, Judge Colton said she will make a recommendation to the district court for criminal contempt proceedings. Now the families across the country continue to wait to wonder how they'll be able to care for their disabled loved ones.'We're here for the victims were fighting for the victims and we're not going to stop,' said Murray. This isn't all that Leo Govoni has to worry about both the FBI and the IRS have launched their own investigations. Judge Colton appeared to be losing her patience with Leo Govoni. This is what she said to Govoni as she found him in contempt of court orders: Govoni has been 'purposefully evasive in proceedings.' He's 'been buying himself time' and while Govoni turned in a personal financial record, the judge called it 'completely worthless' and it was 'amazing it was submitted under oath.' Govoni was asked a series of questions about his businesses and assets including, BCL Aviation, which owned a private plane. Attorney John Dicks about a flight log showing Govoni's plane visiting the Turks and Caicos and Antigua for 23 hours on Friday, May 25, 2018. Govoni was then asked if bank accounts or trusts were formed. While on the stand, Govoni said no and that he doesn't remember being on the plane then. It could have been a charter. Govoni will be back in court on May 12th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa judge finds Govoni in contempt for not complying with court orders
TAMPA — The Clearwater businessman accused in court records of taking $100 million from medical trust funds was found in contempt of court Friday for not cooperating with bankruptcy attorneys trying to document his finances. Federal bankruptcy Judge Roberta Colton ordered that Leo Govoni must pay a $5,000 daily fine for every day that he fails to comply with court orders to provide personal and company financial records. She gave him a deadline of May 12 to come into compliance before she will recommend to federal district court criminal contempt proceedings be launched. Govoni will also be required to pay legal costs for the time attorneys have spent pursuing his records. The finding arose from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings filed in Feb. 2024 by the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, a St. Petersburg nonprofit founded by Govoni to administer trust funds for the disabled and injured. Court records show that the nonprofit gave a $100 million line of credit to Govoni's Boston Finance Group. The money was never repaid leaving trust fund holders with no funds for medical and living expenses. Govoni is under investigation by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Court orders compelling him to produce the documents were put in place in March after Govoni failed to comply with subpoenas issued as far back as September by the legal team working for bankruptcy trustee Michael Goldberg. Govoni was given two opportunities to go to his business office, which he is barred from entering under a court order, to obtain the requested paperwork. Tax returns, a list of personal assets and the assets of many of his companies were among the documents sought. Colton was scathing in her criticism of Govoni, saying his violation of court orders that his own attorneys agreed to was egregious. 'Any claim that he was not aware of what was required falls on deaf ears with this court,' she said. Govoni did submit a fact sheet for his personal finances but it omitted the names of companies that he had previously testified in court to having an ownership stake in. It also did not mention a family trust set up in 2018. Colton described the document as 'a complete waste of paper.' 'It's amazing it was given under oath,' she said. This is a breaking news story. Stay logged onto for further updates
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal judge questions Pinellas County businessman Leo Govoni on stand
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — 8 On Your Side continues to push for answers from Pinellas County businessman Leo Govoni after he answered questions on the stand in federal court Friday morning. A federal judge found Govoni liable for $120 million in missing money tied to his now bankrupt St. Petersburg non-profit. It was money that was meant to help disabled people and their families. The search is heating up for that missing money to see if any of it could be returned to the families that lost everything. Leo Govoni was in court on Friday on the orders of a Federal Judge as the attorneys representing those families are pressed to know where all that money went. While Govoni avoided Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller's questions outside the courthouse in downtown Tampa, he was forced to offer some answers on the stand. 'He's not answering any questions,' said Attorney Paul Sisco. Muller said 'Sure, but I am going to ask Mr. Govoni: where's the money?'Sisco wasn't wrong. Govoni did not utter a word as 8 On Your Side tried to get answers for the people who trusted him to safeguard their money, only to see it all disappear.'Will any of the victims ever recover any of the money?' Muller asked Govoni. GVictims like Elena Capasso.'This is the people that you stole from, kids like this it's awful, awful,' said Louis Capasso, Elena's money came from a settlement, which was being managed at Govoni's non-profit: The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration. But Elena's father soon realized his daughter's money had vanished! 'I really do want my money back,' said Elena. On Friday, for the first time, Govoni himself showed up in Federal Bankruptcy Court going before Judge Roberta found Govoni liable for more than $120 million dollar in missing money in January. On Friday, the Judge tacked on more than $150,000 to her judgement for associated attorney costs and fees for those working to recover the missing money. Those attorneys and Judge Colton have been requesting that Govoni produce documents and records of from his dozens of businesses, but they said so far, Govoni has not complied.'The judge just said that you will be held in contempt if you don't produce the documents, where are the documents?' Muller asked Govoni. While Govoni didn't respond, he did answer some of the questions from the judge and attorneys when he took the stand, while representing himself. Attorney Steven Wirth is the representing Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Trustee, who is managing the Center's affairs and assets while working to recover the missing money. While Govoni was on the stand, Wirth questioned him about 50 entities one by one. Govoni said one LLC formerly owned an airplane, one company made Bloody Mary mix, and another performed forest management services in New England. Wirth asked about Govoni's ownership, assets, and functions of those entities. But to several questions, including when asked about tax records, he pled the fifth to avoid potentially incriminating himself. Last week, Govoni was kicked out of his Clearwater businesses located at 12707 49th St. N. Clearwater, including Big Storm Brewing. The Judge had previously granted officers to take control of Govoni's businesses — everything from managing the books to changing the locks on the doors. Govoni gave the Judge a letter stating that the records are inside his business that he's no longer able to enter, but attorneys for those who are missing money have argued previously that Govoni had plenty of time to provide those documents before and was only ordered out of his business after he failed to turn them over. According to a Pinellas Park Police report, Govoni violated court orders when he entered the business on March 26th and attempted to remove personal items even though he has been barred from doing so. The report shows Govoni told officers that 'he was unaware and had not yet been served the order.' As this case plays out in court, Elena is left in limbo. 'He didn't even care the kids that he was stealing from,' said Capasso. 'That's what makes it so bad.' It's important to note, cameras are not allowed inside the federal courtroom. While Leo Govoni remains the focus of an FBI investigation, so far, he has not been charged with a crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
