Latest news with #Witeck
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.
New York Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
2 Florida men are accused of stealing millions from trust fund for people with special needs
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. Federal authorities this week unsealed an indictment charging Leo J. Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, and John Witeck, 60, of Tampa, with multiple counts including mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, they face decades in prison. 4 The center filed for bankruptcy more than a year ago after discovering it was missing $100 million. FOX 13 Tampa Advertisement The case involves one of the nation's largest administrators of special needs trusts, which are designed to manage funds for people with special needs. The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in Clearwater, which Govoni co-founded 25 years ago, managed more than 2,000 accounts containing about $200 million for people in Florida and around the nation. Clients were promised that the nonprofit would protect and invest their money, prosecutors say. But Govoni and Witeck, an accountant who worked with Govoni, used the nonprofit as a 'slush fund' to enrich themselves, court papers state. 4 Mugshot of Leo Govoni Sr., the founder of the Center for Special Needs Trust. Pinellas County Sheriffâs Office Advertisement Govoni is accused of using money from the nonprofit to travel on private jets, pay living expenses for his friends and family and live a lavish lifestyle 'complete with luxury boxes at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and the Kentucky Derby,' prosecutors said in court records. No lawyers for Govoni or Witeck are listed in court files. Two lawyers listed as representing Govoni in a separate bankruptcy case did not immediately respond to phone and email messages requesting comment on Tuesday. 4 Gregory Kehoe, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida announces the federal charges in a fraud investigation against Leo Govoni during a press conference at the United States Attorney's Office on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. AP Advertisement A third lawyer who has represented the nonprofit in the bankruptcy case didn't immediately respond to messages. Prosecutors accuse the men of concealing the fraud through complex financial transactions, and sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to people with special needs and their families. The nonprofit filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and 'disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts,' federal prosecutors said in a statement announcing the indictment. 4 Prosecutors accuse the men of concealing the fraud through complex financial transactions, and sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to people with special needs and their families. FOX 13 Tampa Advertisement 'The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable,' U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said in the statement. The case was investigated by numerous federal agencies, including the FBI, the IRS and the Social Security Administration. 'Not only were the organization's resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families,' said Jose Perez, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division.
24-06-2025
- Business
2 Florida men accused of stealing $100M from trust for people with special needs
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. Federal authorities this week unsealed an indictment charging Leo J. Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, and John Witeck, 60, of Tampa, with multiple counts including mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, they face decades in prison. The case involves one of the nation's largest administrators of special needs trusts, which are designed to manage funds for people with special needs. The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in Clearwater, which Govoni co-founded 25 years ago, managed more than 2,000 accounts containing about $200 million for people in Florida and around the nation. Clients were promised that the nonprofit would protect and invest their money, prosecutors say. But Govoni and Witeck, an accountant who worked with Govoni, used the nonprofit as a 'slush fund' to enrich themselves, court papers state. Govoni is accused of using money from the nonprofit to travel on private jets, pay living expenses for his friends and family and live a lavish lifestyle 'complete with luxury boxes at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and the Kentucky Derby,' prosecutors said in court records. No lawyers for Govoni or Witeck are listed in court files. Two lawyers listed as representing Govoni in a separate bankruptcy case did not immediately respond to phone and email messages requesting comment on Tuesday. A third lawyer who has represented the nonprofit in the bankruptcy case didn't immediately respond to messages. Prosecutors accuse the men of concealing the fraud through complex financial transactions, and sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to people with special needs and their families. The nonprofit filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and 'disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts,' federal prosecutors said in a statement announcing the indictment. 'The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable," U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said in the statement. The case was investigated by numerous federal agencies, including the FBI, the IRS and the Social Security Administration. 'Not only were the organization's resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families," said Jose Perez, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division.
San Francisco Chronicle
24-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
2 Florida men are accused of stealing millions from trust fund for people with special needs
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. Federal authorities this week unsealed an indictment charging Leo J. Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, and John Witeck, 60, of Tampa, with multiple counts including mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, they face decades in prison. The case involves one of the nation's largest administrators of special needs trusts, which are designed to manage funds for people with special needs. The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in Clearwater, which Govoni co-founded 25 years ago, managed more than 2,000 accounts containing about $200 million for people in Florida and around the nation. Clients were promised that the nonprofit would protect and invest their money, prosecutors say. But Govoni and Witeck, an accountant who worked with Govoni, used the nonprofit as a 'slush fund' to enrich themselves, court papers state. Govoni is accused of using money from the nonprofit to travel on private jets, pay living expenses for his friends and family and live a lavish lifestyle 'complete with luxury boxes at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and the Kentucky Derby,' prosecutors said in court records. No lawyers for Govoni or Witeck are listed in court files. Two lawyers listed as representing Govoni in a separate bankruptcy case did not immediately respond to phone and email messages requesting comment on Tuesday. A third lawyer who has represented the nonprofit in the bankruptcy case didn't immediately respond to messages. Prosecutors accuse the men of concealing the fraud through complex financial transactions, and sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to people with special needs and their families. The nonprofit filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and 'disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts,' federal prosecutors said in a statement announcing the indictment. 'The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable," U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said in the statement. The case was investigated by numerous federal agencies, including the FBI, the IRS and the Social Security Administration. 'Not only were the organization's resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families," said Jose Perez, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
2 Florida men are accused of stealing millions from trust fund for people with special needs
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. Federal authorities this week unsealed an indictment charging Leo J. Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, and John Witeck, 60, of Tampa, with multiple counts including mail fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted on all counts, they face decades in prison. The case involves one of the nation's largest administrators of special needs trusts, which are designed to manage funds for people with special needs. The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in Clearwater, which Govoni co-founded 25 years ago, managed more than 2,000 accounts containing about $200 million for people in Florida and around the nation. Clients were promised that the nonprofit would protect and invest their money, prosecutors say. But Govoni and Witeck, an accountant who worked with Govoni, used the nonprofit as a 'slush fund' to enrich themselves, court papers state. Govoni is accused of using money from the nonprofit to travel on private jets, pay living expenses for his friends and family and live a lavish lifestyle 'complete with luxury boxes at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and the Kentucky Derby,' prosecutors said in court records. No lawyers for Govoni or Witeck are listed in court files. Two lawyers listed as representing Govoni in a separate bankruptcy case did not immediately respond to phone and email messages requesting comment on Tuesday. A third lawyer who has represented the nonprofit in the bankruptcy case didn't immediately respond to messages. Prosecutors accuse the men of concealing the fraud through complex financial transactions, and sending fraudulent account statements with false balances to people with special needs and their families. The nonprofit filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and 'disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts,' federal prosecutors said in a statement announcing the indictment. 'The fraud alleged in this nationwide scheme is unfathomable,' U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe said in the statement. The case was investigated by numerous federal agencies, including the FBI, the IRS and the Social Security Administration. 'Not only were the organization's resources drained, but the accused subjects betrayed the trust of the community and ultimately bankrupted a lifeline for vulnerable families,' said Jose Perez, assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division.
