Two men from Florida face federal charges in a scheme allegedly aimed at embezzling over $100 million from a nonprofit organization responsible for managing funds for individuals with disabilities and special needs. Authorities unsealed an indictment this week against Leo J. Govoni, aged 67, from Clearwater, and John Witeck, aged 60, from Tampa. The charges span multiple counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. A conviction on all counts could result in both men facing several decades in prison.
This case involves one of the country’s principal administrators of special needs trusts, serving to manage finances for those requiring special assistance. Established 25 years ago, the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in Clearwater, cofounded by Govoni, managed over 2,000 accounts containing funds for individuals across Florida and the nation. These clients were assured that the nonprofit would safeguard and invest their funds responsibly.
Yet, according to court documents, Govoni and Witeck, an accountant affiliated with Govoni, exploited the nonprofit as a “slush fund” to enrich themselves. Allegations against Govoni include the misuse of nonprofit funds for personal luxury, such as private jet travel, supporting personal family and friends’ expenses, and maintaining a lavish lifestyle with perks like luxury box seats at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games and events such as the Kentucky Derby, say prosecutors.
Current court records do not list legal representatives for either Govoni or Witeck for this case. However, Paul Sisco, a Tampa-based attorney who previously represented Govoni, emphasized the importance of the presumption of innocence stating, “In nearly two decades of knowing Mr. Govoni, I have never sensed any inkling of guile.” Sisco is currently involved in bond and detention matters concerning Govoni but refrained from disclosing details ahead of a judicial hearing scheduled for Thursday to address these issues.
The indictment claims the men obfuscated their fraudulent activities using complex financial maneuverings and sent misleading account statements indicating false balances to special needs clients and their families. The nonprofit filed for bankruptcy in 2024, during which it was disclosed that client-beneficiary funds exceeding $100 million were missing from its trust accounts.
Federal prosecutors label the alleged nationwide fraud as astonishingly vast, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe. The investigation was conducted by several federal entities, including the FBI, IRS, and the Social Security Administration. FBI Assistant Director Jose Perez condemned the betrayal, highlighting not only the depletion of the organization’s resources but also the eroded trust of the community and the resultant financial ruin of a crucial aid system for vulnerable families.