Florida Men Indicted in $100 Million Special Needs Trust Fraud Scheme
Two Florida men have been indicted in a scheme to steal over $100 million from a nonprofit that managed funds for people with disabilities and special needs. Leo J. Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, and John Witeck, 60, of Tampa, are facing charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The case revolves around the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in Clearwater, co-founded by Govoni 25 years ago. The nonprofit managed funds for over 2,000 accounts totaling around $200 million for individuals in Florida and across the nation. Clients trusted the organization to safeguard and invest their money, but prosecutors allege that Govoni and Witeck used it as a personal “slush fund.”
Govoni is accused of misappropriating funds for private jet travel, living expenses for friends and family, and a lavish lifestyle that included luxury boxes at sporting events like Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and the Kentucky Derby.
The fraud was uncovered when the nonprofit filed for bankruptcy in 2024, revealing that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts. Prosecutors claim the men engaged in complex financial transactions to conceal the fraud and sent out fraudulent account statements with false balances to deceive clients.
U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe deemed the alleged fraud in this nationwide scheme as “unfathomable,” highlighting the betrayal of trust towards vulnerable families relying on the nonprofit’s services. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS, and Social Security Administration.
Jose Perez, assistant director of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, expressed concern over the draining of the organization’s resources and the impact on the community. The accused individuals not only face potential prison sentences but have also tarnished the reputation of an organization meant to support those in need.
