Nearly 2,000 people impacted by Leo Govoni draining millions from special needs trust, prosecutors say
Share this @internewscast.com

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Theresa Schlosser left the federal court building in Downtown Tampa singing.

“Oh happy day,” Schlosser sang.

The Lee County resident stood next to Ocala resident Amparo Perales on Thursday after learning Leo Govoni will remain in jail through his trial.

Govoni was accused of draining millions from a special needs trust for the disabled that impacted close to 2,000 people.

Schlosser and Perales, both with special needs children, had to leave them in someone else’s care to appear before a judge, requesting that Govoni be denied bail. They had invested money in Govoni’s trust, which has now gone bankrupt, to support their adult children.

“It would’ve been terrible if he’s able to get out and still live that life with the money that he’s taking from us,” Perales said.

Recently released jail booking footage from Monday shows Govoni, 67, following his indictment by a federal grand jury on multiple fraud charges. The charges are the result of an investigation that began in January 2024.

Federal prosecutors said he obtained his first grand jury subpoena in April of that year.

Fast forward to Thursday, a judge denied his hopes of going home to his wife, who didn’t have any response following the hearing.

The federal judge referenced several factors in the decision to keep Govoni in custody: the number of alleged victims with special needs, the financial sum involved, and Govoni’s alleged obstruction of collection efforts during the bankruptcy proceedings, highlighting concerns over his alleged white-collar criminal activities.

“This is the first true sense of relief that any of us have because we know it’s going to take years to just get a dime back,” Schlosser said.

Collection efforts are underway following Govoni being found liable in bankruptcy court in January for taking millions from disabled people.

During the latest criminal proceeding, the judge said Govoni can appeal the ruling involving remaining in jail, but Paul Sisco, who represents the defendant, said it’s unclear if that will happen.

“The first step is I need to make a whether or not if I am going to be able to stay on this case as you know I entered a limited appearance on it and there’s consequences for business; my business,” Sisco said.

Govoni was taken away while in handcuffs and wearing his orange Pinellas County jail jumpsuit.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Israel and Hamas Nearing Potential Ceasefire Agreement for Gaza: A Preview

JERUSALEM – On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Washington…

Flooding Danger Remains Severe in Texas with Over 80 Fatalities

The threat of life-threatening floods remained high in central Texas on Monday…

Former Richmond County Teacher Arrested for Alleged Possession of Explicit Photos of Children

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – A former teacher from Richmond County has been…

Trump and Netanyahu to Discuss Gaza Ceasefire at White House Meeting

() President Donald Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu…

Midterm Elections May Hinge on Medicaid Reductions

The issue of Medicaid is poised to take center stage in the…

Immigration Raids Reportedly Carried Out by Federal Agents Near MacArthur Park, Los Angeles

Editor’s note: KTLA reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security…

Detroit Reporter Claims to Have Cracked the Jimmy Hoffa Case After 50 Years

Teamsters Union president Jimmy Hoffa is seen in Washington on July 26,…

Volunteers Describe Flood-Stricken Areas in Texas as ‘Completely Devastated’

() With the search for victims in the Central Texas floods now…

SEE: Latest Footage of Mall Shooting Suspect Prior to Arrest

SAVANNAH, Ga. () – has received new video footage of Oglethorpe Mall…

SSU Basketball Discusses the First Offseason with Their New Head Coach

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Savannah State Men’s Basketball is in its first…

‘Texas Flood Leaves Grandparents Missing Without Hope of Rescue’

() A family is frantically searching for two grandparents who were swept away…

Key Insights on the Possible Agreement to Maintain TikTok’s Presence in the US

Less than a month after extending a deadline to ban TikTok for…