United States v. Govoni et al.

Case No. 8:25-cr-299-VMC-NHA

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Criminal Case Documents	Court Events	Bankruptcy Case Information	Additional Resources	Contact Information

As alleged in the June 2025 indictment, Leo Joseph Govoni and John Leo Witeck engaged in a fraud scheme that involved stealing more than $100 million from, and ultimately bankrupting, a non-profit organization in Clearwater, Florida that managed trusts for vulnerable individuals with special needs, many of them children and/or people with disabilities. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

Victims of the charged offenses have received separate notice of their rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act of 2004, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 3771. These rights apply only to victims of the counts charged in federal court.

While our office cannot act as your attorney or provide you with legal advice, you can seek the advice of an attorney with respect to the rights above or other related legal matters.

If you believe you are a victim of these offenses and have not already completed the FBI’s online questionnaire, please consider visiting https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-center-for-special-needs-trust-investigation. Participation is voluntary.

Please revisit this website periodically for additional information.

Criminal Case Documents

Indictment
Press Release
Case Summary
Pretrial Detention Order for Govoni

Court Events

John Witeck pleaded not guilty and was released from custody pending trial with special conditions of pretrial supervision. Leo Govoni pleaded not guilty and is detained pending trial.

This case is set before the Honorable Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, United States District Judge, for the January 2026 trial term. A status hearing is scheduled before Judge Covington for December 11, 2025, at 9:30 AM at Courtroom 14B, Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse, 801 North Florida Ave., Tampa, Florida 33602. The purpose of this hearing is to determine if there are issues that the Court needs to address and to schedule any necessary future court dates.

Federal Courthouse - Tampa
Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse
801 North Florida Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33602

Date and Location	Event	Notes
December 11, 2025, 9:30 AM Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington Courtroom 14B	Status Hearing	The purpose of this hearing is to determine if there are issues that the Court must address and to schedule any necessary future court dates.
January 5, 2026, 9:00 AM Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington Courtroom 14B	Tentative Trial Calendar	This case is tentatively set on the January 2026 trial calendar, which begins January 5, 2026.

Bankruptcy Case Information

In February 2024, CSNT filed for bankruptcy and disclosed that more than $100 million in client-beneficiary funds was missing from its trust accounts. A trustee has been appointed by a bankruptcy court to oversee CSNT. Many victims of the criminal conduct are also unsecured creditors in CSNT’s bankruptcy proceeding. The Unsecured Creditor’s Council represents the interests of unsecured creditors. If you have not received information about the bankruptcy case that is also taking place, information can be obtained by visiting https://dm.epiq11.com/case/centerforspecialneedstrustadministration/info.

Additional Resources

Contact Information

For information or assistance with this case, please contact the Victim Witness Unit for the United States Attorney’s Office by calling (813) 274-6000 or e-mailing usaflm.tpavw@usdoj.gov. Please include reference to the case name in the subject line of emails.

Updated August 15, 2025