Florida GOP donor drained $100 million from trust funds of disabled kids. families are finding the accounts at $0

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

Clearwater businessperson Leo Govoni, accused of taking an unsanctioned $100 million loan from a charity that administers trust funds for the medically needy but is now seeking protection in bankruptcy court, is also one of the Tampa Bay area’s big political donors.

Giving in his own name or through numerous businesses registered at the same addresses in Clearwater, Govoni has given hundreds of thousands of dollars over the last several years to state, local and federal candidates, the vast majority to Republicans.

An exact accounting is difficult because Govoni has given political money through numerous corporations. Florida law allows corporate political contributions, and it’s not unusual for numerous corporations controlled by a single individual to make separate contributions.

But a partial survey of campaign finance reports suggests the Govoni state and local contributions reach well into six figures over the last decade or so.

At the federal level, where corporate contributions aren’t allowed, Govoni has given nearly $500,000 under his own name since 2009, with major beneficiaries including the Republican Party; Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott; and Reps. David Jolly, Anna Paulina Luna and Dennis Ross.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2024/02/24/clearwater-man-accused-taking-improper-loan-gave-freely-politics/

Apple Valley family loses over $46,000 for special needs son after suspected embezzlement

Marcus and Donna Rollins lost nearly $46,000 for their special needs son after a trust founder's suspected embezzlement of millions of dollars.

The Apple Valley couple shared their shock and heartbreak, knowing the money they saved for their son, Matthew, 21, is gone.

“These are special needs families just trying to do what's good for their loved ones' futures —and just like that, you lose it all,” Donna said. “The idea of a trust is that you can pay for the things not covered and to give Matthew a quality of life otherwise not possible.”

Matthew, who uses a wheelchair, is a 2020 Apple Valley High School graduate and an active member of the local Lions Club, along with his parents.

Donna Rollins said her family lost nearly $46,000 for their special needs son, Matthew, after a trust founder's suspected embezzlement of millions of dollars.
Accounts drained
Leo Govoni, founder of The Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, is accused of taking $100 million and causing the business to file for bankruptcy, according to Tampa Bay’s FOX13.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2024/03/05/apple-valley-family-loses-over-46000-after-suspected-embezzlement/72774787007/

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

1. more: Parents hope for answers about missing $250K after special needs trust fund company's bankruptcy filing

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The parents of a daughter with disabilities hopes to finally have some answers after claiming a quarter of a million dollars went missing from the same St. Petersburg special needs trust fund company that recently filed for bankruptcy, accusing its founder of mishandling funds.

In 2013, Richard and Kim Musczynski settled with a doctor and hospital in Palm Beach County after filing a lawsuit accusing them of misdiagnosing their daughter's condition when Kim was pregnant.

Their daughter, Abagayle, was born with a brain abnormality that caused her to develop cerebral palsy. She also suffered from severe seizures, was blind in one eye and unable to walk and talk.


She passed away in 2022 when she was just 11 years old.

----------------

Richard and Kim wrote a check to the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration in St. Pete totaling more than $756,000. The Musczynski's said they began to feel uncomfortable with how the center was handling the funds.

Court records show Richard and Kim attempted to remove the money from the Center. The company, however, went to court to prevent them from doing so, even attempting to have the parents removed as guardians of their daughter's trust.

[NBachers]

2. How Republican of him

[crickets]

23. Of course. But don't forget: according to Tuberville, Democrats hate families.

How many families' lives has Govoni ruined? Some people are so evil it's hard to understand. Ugh.

[Nutty Putty]

3. Absolutely Heartbreaking

Govoni is a true republican scoundrel. But, what a beautiful father & daughter!!

[PatSeg]

31. Welcome to DU!

Yeah, that is pretty much as low as it gets. Disgusting.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. Govoni's business is Boston Finance Group, since names should be named

The Florida Attorney General's office, meanwhile, told FOX 13 in a statement that it is following the case, adding, "we are aware, and the appropriate investigative agencies have been notified. We cannot comment further at this time."

Several families, including Mulholland's, have said they've contacted the FBI.

Last month, the Center filed for bankruptcy, accusing its founder, Leo Govoni, of taking $100 million in unapproved loans from 2009 through 2020, with no intention of paying them back. A separate class action lawsuit filed last week by one of the impacted families indicated more than 1,500 clients' accounts were compromised, with many of them either partially or entirely drained of their funds.
...
In the bankruptcy filing, the Center's new leadership accused Govoni of having the loans issued to his company, Boston Finance Group. The filing goes on to accuse Govoni, who, according to state business records, owns or manages dozens of companies, of placing several of his businesses in charge of the Center's accounting, finances and IT department, helping him hide the loans.

https://www.fox13news.com/news/state-attorney-general-watching-st-pete-special-needs-trusts-bankruptcy-accusations-founder-took-100m

[Takket]

28. Glad they contacted the FBI

Because desantis’s AG isn’t going to do a damn thing, especially when there are parents of trans kids to imprison.

[SergeStorms]

5. This guy should be hung by his balls...

from a scaffold on Clearwater Beach, and covered 3 times daily with anchovy paste. Let the seagulls peck him clean, then reapply the anchovy paste as needed.

Keep this up until he dies from exposure/seagull pecks, or he repays every penny of that trust, plus interest.

I believe that would be a fitting punishment, but that's just me.

[pfitz59]

8. Not just you

I'd agree with this fate. Just arrest him now, no bail, until he coughs up restitution.

[AllaN01Bear]

12. id arrest him and then make him work to pay off the debit.

[AllaN01Bear]

11. nah, dropped down a red ants nest w angry miffed off red ants and coated with peanut butter.

[MagickMuffin]

13. Fire Ants would make mincemeat of him faster

I’ve been stung by both and I’d prefer the red ants over fire ants any day of the week.

[Celerity]

16. STUNG by a BULLET ANT!

On this episode of Breaking Trail, Coyote takes on the Bullet Ant Challenge and is STUNG by the most painful insect sting in the world!

With much ANTicipation surrounding his climb to the top of the insect sting pain index, the moment has finally arrived for Coyote to experience the sting that is said to feel like “being shot by a gun” and last for over 24 hours.

Will the intensity of the Bullet Ant sting match its legendary status?

Get ready…you’re about to find out!

[SergeStorms]

19. Oh....nice.

PLEASE tell me they're migrating into the southwest United States. I can't wait to be bitten by one, or twenty.

Yeah, these would do nicely for that thieving prick who stole the disabled kids' money.

Stake him out atop one or two of their nests. It's still better than he deserves.

[MagickMuffin]

21. Fortunately I haven't encountered any Bullet Ants

Hopefully they won’t come here like the fire ants. Fire ants are difficult to get rid of unless you don’t mind poisoning your whole yard.

Fire ants are everywhere in Texas, haven’t seen red ants in decades, which horn toads munch on. So, those species are long gone from DFW area.

[Celerity]

22. Where Have All The Horny Toads Gone?

Texas used to be full of these “little dinosaurs.” Their scientific name is Phrynosoma Cornutum, but they’re also called horn frogs or horned lizards by those who remember when they were plentiful.

https://soundcloud.com/texas-standard/little-dinosaurs-05302018



https://interactives.dallasnews.com/2018/the-disappearing-horny-toad/

[MagickMuffin]

24. As a kid we called them Horny Toads

They were plentiful. We would catch them roll them on their backs and rub their bellies. You had to be careful though because they could shoot blood out of their eyes. I can’t remember if I experienced that phenomenon. I love them!

You can still find them west of the DFW metroplex, at least that’s where I saw one last.

And they are endangered because of humans mostly.

Thx for the pic!

[SergeStorms]

18. Been there, done that....

and have the red welts on my feet and ankles to prove it.
They are nasty little devils, aren't they. 😱

[SunSeeker]

6. Such a Republican thing to do, stealing from a charity, like the Trumps did. nt

[PatSeg]

32. Yes and George Santos

Santos is probably wishing he'd come up with something like that.

[GiqueCee]

7. There is an especially noisome...

... pit of boiling rat excrement in the deepest bowels of Hell awaiting that thieving scumbag, Govoni. I'll bet there's a LONG line of people eager to send him there.

I don't think he can escape restitution through bankruptcy, can he? But it is Florida, so all manner of sick and twisted things are possible, I suppose.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

9. yep. He STOLE that money and thinks he can escape thru bankruptcy. He deserves jail

[Timeflyer]

10. If any business is based in Florida, use extreme due diligence researching it and the backgrounds of its executives.

Too many shameless grifters end up operating their scams and schemes out of here. They must see how well it works for FL politicians.

[MagickMuffin]

14. Must've learned at the feet of Rick Scott

Stealing from the needy is just easy money to these grifters.

[TheRealNorth]

15. My bet is that he will walk with a figurative slap on the wrist.....

They only go to jail if they steal from the wealthy.

[Mama Bear 16]

25. NO!!!

This was how we took care of how loved ones. He can't get away with this. How am I supposed to take care of my child?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

30. Welcome to DU

[PatSeg]

33. Welcome to DU

I am so sorry that this happened to you. This guy is rotten to the core. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be him.

[NameAlreadyTaken]

17. Grand Larceny / Embezzlement

[Kingofalldems]

20. They are reptiles.

[mike_c]

26. gee. a wealthy republican scumbag ripped off $100 million from disabled kids....

Who could have possibly seen that coming?

[sheshe2]

27. Who is surprised by this?

-Leo steals money from disabled kids
-Lara from a dog rescue charity
-Trumps kids from a kids cancer charity.

See a pattern here?

[BlueKota]

29. These modern Republicans are the vilest pieces

of shit I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.