Clearwater, FL — In a shocking case of alleged financial exploitation, two Florida men have been charged with orchestrating a $100 million fraud that targeted a nonprofit responsible for managing trust funds for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Federal Indictment Unsealed
According to an unsealed indictment, Leo Joseph Govoni, 67, of Clearwater, and John Leo Witeck, 60, of Tampa, are accused of abusing their positions at the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration (CSNT)—a nonprofit founded around 2000 that grew to manage over 2,100 special needs trusts containing nearly $200 million.
“For over 15 years, the defendants conspired to use the funds of special needs clients as a personal piggy bank,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the DOJ Criminal Division. “Stealing $100 million from the most vulnerable members of our society to enrich themselves is unconscionable.”
How the Scheme Worked
Federal prosecutors allege that between 2009 and 2025, Govoni and Witeck misappropriated client funds, falsified trust statements, and hid their crimes through complex financial transactions.
The stolen funds were allegedly used for:
- Luxury real estate purchases
- Private jet travel
- A personal brewery investment
- Payments toward personal bank debts
Govoni is also accused of making false statements in bankruptcy court, as CSNT filed for bankruptcy in 2024 after disclosing over $100 million missing from trust accounts.
Additional Charges Against Govoni
In a separate case, Govoni faces charges of:
- Bank fraud in connection with a $3 million mortgage refinance loan
- Money laundering, including a $205,000 transaction to pay off a home equity line
He’s also charged with making false declarations during bankruptcy proceedings, further complicating his legal troubles.
Read Also: Georgia Man Sentenced to Life for Murdering Girlfriend and Teen Son, Leaving 8-Year-Old Alone with Their Bodies
Multiple Agencies Involved
The case is being led by a multi-agency task force, including the:
- FBI
- IRS Criminal Investigation
- Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)
- Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG)
“The defendants are accused of draining the lifeline for thousands of special needs families while living extravagantly,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI. “Their betrayal will not go unanswered.”
“This was not only criminal—it was cruel,” added IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Guy Ficco. “Stealing funds meant to support the disabled is deeply disturbing.”
Maximum Penalties and Legal Outlook
Both defendants face serious consequences:
- Up to 20 years for each count of wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy
- 30 years for the bank fraud charge (Govoni only)
- 10 years for illegal monetary transactions
- 5 years for false bankruptcy declarations
Govoni and Witeck were both charged with money laundering conspiracy as well. If convicted on all counts, they could each face decades in federal prison.
Prosecution Team and Trial Status
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Lyndie Freeman of the DOJ’s Fraud Section, along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Michael Gordon from the Middle District of Florida.
Govoni and Witeck are currently awaiting trial. As always, an indictment is only an allegation, and both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
What penalties do you believe are appropriate for nonprofit fraud involving vulnerable populations? Share your views in the comments area of newyorkdailygazette.com.
