St. Pete non-profit responds to what happened to missing $100 million

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

This is outrageous that $100M was 'borrowed' by the trust fund manager. Where is it? This manager needs to go to prison for life

[@JohnP538]

Not the best reporting, this guy has spent more time in court than Judge Judy. Google him and his LLC's, he's a wolf. I pray the Class Actions are able claw back something for these poor people. (He is actually quoted in several law publications about how important it is for lawyers to manage these trust accounts.)

[@SamLopezI]

If you want to get rich, start your own religion or non-profit.

[@thomasjoseph5876]

Why was the various state agencies not doing regular audits???

[@CosmicConnectionVibes]

Not a fund manager, its the person who started and owns this business. Basically took his own money.

[@thomasjoseph5876]

@bluebarry6128 They need to hire someone from the Dark Net to find this dude and retrieve the money. But they won't because that would be .... illegal. I don't know why so many people trust in our legal system when it has failed innocent people and victims so many times. I have found when you have a problem, it is best to deal with it yourself or by hiring a professional. I had a customer once who owed me $2k and he told me "to take him to court". I just told him I don't DO court and that I would see him very soon and hung up. The next morning some woman dropped off a check for $2k and wanted a receipt LOL.

[@Cucumberflavoredmustard]

"Loaning someone's money to himself and not repaying"? That a whole lot of syllables to describe STEALING.

[@only1muppet]

What gets me is the Address for Boston financial is a small office in an industrial area. I would assume that showed how bad the company was with money. It’s been registered there since the 90’s, no other offices that I could find.

[@AlbaxArcade]

Wire fraud

[@zed4229]

@@only1muppet Its a shell never was more than a place to skim money.

[@Kuulei265]

Note to self: If placing money with anyone other than a bank that is regulated, make sure to find out who manages the money. Seems like from the beginning his intent was to defraud and then disappear.

[@wdtaut5650]

Isn't that how the U.S. government is being financed?

[@Gocubsgo1958]

This guy should be arrested immediately and put in prison for life

[@svc2461]

He's probably vacationing permanently in a warm place where Canada does not have an extradition treaty with.

[@Mr.Ekshin]

Pretty sure they said the loan came due in Nov. 2017. So if he can drag his feet and draw this out for another six months or so, the statute of limitations will protect him. Pretty much the same thing Hillary in the Whitewater Estates scam. She kept playing paperwork games and by the time she finally submitted all the documents the court was demanding... presto... statute of limitations activated! She repaid nothing, and no criminal charges could be brought to bear.

[@warthogA10]

So should most top members of non-profit organizations..

[@bblwarrantydepartment981]

He’s white he’s not going to jail

[@Cycy8080]

You’d let him live?

[@Blackdog222]

You hold ole Leo by his ankles out a 32nd-floor window until he realizes the error of his ways and returns the money. Screw lawyers and definitely screw our current corrupt judicial system.

[@TravisEngh]

you aint fucking lying

[@ciscornBIG]

It's gonna start happening sooner or later. Not all of them can afford bunkers and private islands.

[@KOVIDGOON]

Word!💯💪🏾✊🏾

[@JannaferWorthington-rq7tg]

Real Talk❤❤❤

[@jasoncruz19800]

This, except I would do a lot, lot worse.

[@deemelody2396]

How awful these companies don't have to undergo yearly audits to prevent this sort of scam.

[@kenbob1071]

But Ron DuhSantis says regulation is BAD!

[@healinggrounds19]

Nonprofits ARE supposed to have yearly audits.

[@Mr.Ekshin]

@@healinggrounds19 - These companies don't sit on piles of cash, they invest it. So the audits list loans as assets... "investments" that will bear interest. The numbers (on paper) add up. This guy was loaning the money not directly to himself, but to various other shell corporations that he owned. And here's the really fun part. The loans came due in 2017... meaning at some point this year, the statute of limitations will kick in and protect him against any kind of prosecution or need to pay back the money. He'll drag his feet with the courts in submitting docs and paperwork. He'll submit the wrong docs. He'll keep pretending like he's cooperating (just enough to avoid a contempt charge), until the day that statute kicks in, and then he'll give them all the docs and they won't be able to do anything about any of it. This is basically Hillary in the Whitewater scam all over again.

[@warthogA10]

Oh, they typically get around that through political donations... 😉

[@jeanieologist4456]

@@Mr.Ekshin not true once something is initiated that stops the clock as far as the statute of limitations. These people have already started filing their suits, so the statute of limitations will not apply to this case.

[@fluxfaze]

The NPO’s board of directors are culpable, too.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

Absolutely

[@naradaian]

‘I no nothing’!

[@RealisiticEdgeMod]

Theres a zero percent chance of recovering that money.

[@Renee-wy1po]

Sell they home cars and everything they have

[@MA-mh1vs]

The money the company got was obtained illegally and that means the company's assets should be able to be seized and liquidated. Even as a civil case, businesses can be shut down and their assets liquidated to settle unpaid debts.

[@camaya9065]

Yes and the guy is gone into thin air. No good record keeping for what the loan money was even for. Just a Bernie Maddof with real people’s money

[@MDNQ-ud1ty]

There would be 100% if the government wasn't so corrupt. The government pretends it's there to stop psychopaths but, in fact, it's their to grow them.

[@alexkane84]

It could be in real estate and highly appreciated

[@zandrafalcone1359]

They're supposed to 'manage' money not 'loan' it out. Those people are criminals. They should be charged and arrested.

[@commonsense6611]

It sounds like everyone was trying to keep their high paying jobs rather than going to the authorities, such as FDLE or the FBI.

[@badgercdlyons]

lol, "FDLE". more like Florida Department of Wealthy Donor Protection.

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

If you or I embezzled $100 million from work, we would be in jail with a bond so high, the 100M wouldn't cover a bondsman to get out and run. Rich guy embezzles $100M and cops can do nothing. He has political connections.

[@LD__]

💯💯💯

[@LibbyRal]

Two guesses which party he belongs to and it's not the Democrats.

[@kayllenstarships9009]

The sad reality of our corrupted world

[@jared4902]

​@LibbyRal they all do it and if you think otherwise you are naive 😂 both parties are full of nothing but crooks

[@thatgirlwhousedtohavereall5549]

@@LibbyRal You might want to check again

[@wishteria234]

i bet lots of people knew he was stealing and kept quiet.

[@bsgvlog5640]

I doubt it, any normal person who caught wind of someone stealing money from children and the disabled would come forwards immediately.

[@elcajoia619]

@@bsgvlog5640 $100,000,000 paid off a lot of people, the naive and gullible will continue to be fleeced.

[@CatWhiskering]

Reporter says at the end that the Center didn't report the magically-disappearing $100MIL to law enforcement for two years.

[@sparklemotion86]

@@bsgvlog5640 not in Florida land of scams

[@bradschwamberger1217]

All these people need jailed. Where was the accounting firm?

[@katiedid1851]

Florida

[@stephanparis6887]

The accounting firm they used was Arthur Andersen lol

[@psalmxv4188]

Missing vs stolen. The media plays so many games.

[@enough1494]

Not the media, this is an investigation. The money, as of now is missing. Obviously, stolen but evidence is key to any criminal charge and conviction.

[@healinggrounds19]

They legally can't say stolen.

[@andrewvelonis5940]

Distinction without a difference. It's missing because it was stolen.

[@miked8227]

Which is why I and many many others no longer watch the brainwashing liberal news.

[@bsgvlog5640]

The legal system needs to make an example out of this type of white collar crime. This is absolutely heinous in the worst sort of way. These victims may depend on that money for their very survival, to keep a roof over their heads. Imagine older parents like that man in the video working, trying to provide for their disabled children and then preparing for that child after they’re gone and there’s no one left to look after them. I shudder at the type of human who would victimize people like this.

[@10forthebigguy753]

Nothing is more profitable than a nonprofit

[@MrWooWoo99]

War

[@warthogA10]

👈😉👉

[@stevenlouis1024]

True. California uses them to steal 50 millions a year from your federal tax dollars

[@mwinner101]

True. Giant scams. So much of the money they raise goes to their “admin costs” which means the director of the nonprofit makes out like a bandit. Thieves.

[@stevenlouis1024]

It’s even worse. The state of california just stole 50 million dollars and they lost it. They have no clue where it went. We audited the books and it was put in the general fund and then we lost trail. They literally just vanished and entire fiscal budget for AIDs patients that are dying into thin air.

[@Trike.]

The father stole it , then the daughter used her authority to covered it up and concealed it for 2 yrs . Then after she left there was nobody to keep concealing the documents that then was discovered the firm was broke, and now going to be sued by the owners who lost their money . They all took the money and ran .

[@jogmas12]

Bought homes, Ferraris, etc….

[@only1muppet]

It was longer than 2 years. I bet the daughter quit because she knew the money was gone or dad told her he wasn’t giving her anymore of the cut.

[@only1muppet]

It was longer than 2 years. I bet the daughter quit because she knew the money was gone or dad told her he wasn’t giving her anymore of the cut.

[@Trike.]

@@only1muppet It was time for her to get out of dodge because the heat was coming . Burning a candle on both ends .

[@badgercdlyons]

No, they DIDN'T run. They tried to work their way back in to ensure the embezzlement kept going as recently as last summer. Now that the story has broken, NOW is the time they run.

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

A forensic accountant should trace what those “loans” were spent. You would think that trust laws would prevent that.

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

@@skyflyer4231 Maybe I missed something. Weren’t the loans made to the guy who was managing the missing $100 million? Did the father of this disabled girl also receive money? As administrator of my disabled son’s payments I have to account for every penny I spend on him.

[@Fuchsbau101]

Good lesson. Don't trust any organization with your money.

[@steverinaldi890]

Clearly no checks and balances with that non profit organization. And no way that money will ever be repaid-ever

[@kenbob1071]

That's the way right-wingers want it... no governmental oversight or regulations.

[@g.t.richardson6311]

It happens every week but on smaller scale, PTAs, local sports assoc, school clubs, small local governments, small businesses, booster clubs, vol fire depts , And the common theme is zero checks and balances, and letting one person run the show because no one else could be bothered

[@steverinaldi890]

@@g.t.richardson6311 I don’t disagree

[@badgercdlyons]

They keep calling this a "loan", but they can't even find the loan documents! This was just money walking out the door with Leo.

[@bonitabeach3127]

WTF is on the Fiduciary Board show their pictures !!!!!!!!! Sh#$%tty 8 FL show us the pictures of the Scum

[@PubliusUSA]

Absolutely!!!!

[@myphd-myprisonhistorydiplo691]

Show the criminals face!! It did not “vanish” he STOLE the money! MSM is just as bad as the thief not calling it correct!! Arrest this punk thief!

[@Teeveepicksures]

use the wayback machine and pull up their website. you can see their pics

[@rickuyeda4818]

FBI should get involved.

[@kenbob1071]

Trump wants to defund the FBI and IRS so good luck with that.

[@ihunt12903]

Yea they really should this is disgusting

[@blueballsbkueballs]

FBI is busy wire tapping Republicans.

[@brega6286]

FBI too busy with politics right now.

[@Teeveepicksures]

It depends. If anything went out of state then they'll get involved.

[@Theortricesiii]

Disgusting, no dignity or integrity.

[@Sharon-sw7mr]

I appreciate this news channel for staying on top of this story. I hope these people get their money back to help their special needs children. I have great doubt though bc the white collar criminal who stole the $100 million probably is savy and knows how to protect himself financially and keep out of jail. Financial crimes should bring great punishment and repayment of funds stolen. I don't trust trustees. The money is too easy to steal for them.

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

I’d like to know if he made donations to any particular political party and was protected while he stole. I keep thinking of how Sam Bankman-Freed was able to steal a $billion without any red flags being raised.

[@SeniorMoostacho]

Not to mention, go after the Bank which was the Fiduciary agent in this case to oversee the actual account, to Not have oversight or policies to prevent this.

[@kevinmahlendorf4955]

Only took 15 years to uncover this?

[@ClementOngebei]

Mine gonna take less then 10 years😂

[@drowe2]

Anyone who knows their way around a balance sheet could easily see a $100m transfer. This only came to a head when it was all gone because many were in on this.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

Discovered two years ago? Does anybody do bank reconciliations at that place. They also discovered it two years ago and this is just coming out now. These are also trust funds, you can't loan them out, any board members should be held responsible too.

[@only1muppet]

The station should try to contact the VP of Boston financial and see what he’s got to say. I’m very sure he knows something, he is named in the lawsuit for a reason.

[@savedbygrace1582]

I was kicked off senior meals program because I couldn't afford to pay. Apparently the fund for the charity go for the people running the non-profit while the seniors have to pay.

[@mikeslater6246]

The court should disallow this bankruptcy filing. And anyone associated with the company that stole (borrowed) the money from them should have all of their Financial accounts seized until this is figure it out

[@stevenbrady440]

Certainly these unpaid loans… I'm sure taxes were paid on them, right? I'm sure there must be photos of these people somewhere… right? Where are the offices of the company that received the loan? Who are the officers there? Is that company still in business? The names of the people who operated both companies are not privileged, right? Was this administrator insured or bonded? Not sure I would feel comfortable having my trust money with a company that was neither insured nor bonded… not sure I would ever recommend anyone use a family operated and controlled, uninsured or unbonded trust administrator, either.

[@harper7509]

That's so disgusting and they belong under the jail.

[@righteousone1]

After aorta amputation.

[@maryvicente3692]

Dear spokes lady: jail for you too.

[@genesotdorus413]

This center needs to be shut down . Assets frozen property needs to be sold to recoup these funds . This is everyone fault there .

[@badgercdlyons]

Same with all the assets of this Boston Financial and all of Leo's other businesses.

[@waynecmontgomery]

The families need to contact the local field office of the FBI

[@davidbabcock5172]

They need to take everything those people own including businesses home clothes anything that can be sold to replace that money then jail everyone involved.

They lawyers will get rich and richer.

[@klausschwab6808]

jewry

[@surviveunplugged]

As a CPA/Financial Statement Auditor, the Trust industry was a niche of mine in the 90's. How is it that a "registered" thrust company doesn't have an audit requirement? Also, when dealing with non-profits, make sure they provide "audited" Financial Statements. It's something that reputable non-profits want in order to demonstrate transparency AND accountability. I was also a non-profit audit specialist. This should not have happened.

[@gallowdwg123]

This person needs to go to prison for a very mandatory long time

[@Maria.9094]

Don't non profits have to file forms with the state annually to keep their non profit status, including audited financials? What about the IRS? So many questions.

[@felipenunez2058]

Leo is probably in belize can live like a king for 10 million the rest of his life and no extradition to the US

[@Dan-y6l3k]

How much do you want to bet that Leo is skirting the law because he has been donating to politicians just like SBF did?

[@jessiec1194]

And the trustee of my daughters money called me greedy and mean bc I audited her annual accountings and demanded all the financial records. It’s quite possible to handle a trust on your own, just needs good record keeping.

[@havf8h1960]

Those accounts should have accumulated interest. The founder should go to prison

[@scottiron6444]

Absolutely outrageous, pure evil...

[@racheljustrachel2732]

It gets to be that you should not trust non profit organizations and just open a bank account.

[@gailjohnson2795]

And are the current staff being paid still and by whom or with what money.

[@berg6562]

I have zero faith that justice will prevail here…

[@DreamMonster7X]

10 degrees below zero. That's how cold our justice system is. When it comes to others peoples money, 'It's just money' Thank 'God' you're ok. When it comes to they're money, don't even think about it!

[@gitrdoug]

Givoni may hanging out at Big Storm, his son's brewery, restaurant, laundromat... Both Givonis have been big political donors too. I wonder who's money they have been donating?

[@cde8398]

Oh great Yt Collar crimes that’ll go unpunished. Poor families. The FBI should be tired of this BS‼️

[@seansurfn2]

fbi is corrupt af already themselves.

[@klausschwab6808]

life in jail for crack and 3 mos probation fo stealing millions lol

[@TheVagolfer]

I know a couple of Bulgarian men that will have that money returned in 2 days...let me know.

[@Skank_and_Gutterboy]

1. The dog ate it. 2. The maid threw it out.

[@Impozalla]

Why is this kind of stuff happening in Florida? It seems like it's a wild wild West in Florida when it comes to criminal activity.

[@user-cz1gu8nl9o]

And Chicago and LA too.

[@LoveistheBestAnswer]

Someone needs to help accountable for that $100 million dollars missing! Check Scientology “ hidden camps” and other places highly protected criminals go! He should be in prison and every cent returned to those vulnerable child and vulnerable adults! You waited too long to investigate! 2009 there was “ a loan” sounds very presidential to me!

[@markmed9091]

Was Trump running this. Sounds like one of his moves .

[@Off-The-X]

I just called the Fl Att Generals office and business regulation, along with my out of State Senator. I will not go away until the man is behind bars!

[@jamesl9371]

The old story Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and Be careful who you trust

[@FolkloreLover]

Sounds like Giavani was expecting his daughter to keep his tracks covered. Looks like she was not going to take risks for him and washed her hands of it by resigning. Whether she was a willing participant or not at one point is unclear.

[@miked8227]

How are these places not scrutinized more, checks n balances! It’s not like this hasn’t ever happened before.

[@Chowlife]

The agency is just as much at fault for this horrendous theft… why did they wait until absolute bankruptcy before notifying families that something was amiss? They had years to disclose the issues. They “went to police” but still didn’t warn the families… some of these lawsuits need to be personally aimed at the personnel

[@freddyhollingsworth5945]

That whole family that stole the $$$ needs to go to prison!!!

[@Wesley-eu7rn]

Never give control of your money to anyone but yourself.

[@Ronald-hk6fk]

Non profits make the biggest profits. If the job were to find permanent solutions to they'd be out of a job themselves

[@jamesl9371]

Wow 😮!!! Unbelievable

[@Leslie-t3e]

Where is the state ATTORNEY GENERAL

[@farrlaterry1365]

She was probably one of the beneficiaries of those stolen funds. Leo was a Republican mega donor. I'm sure Leo's daughter and son were all in on the fraud.

[@APL6526]

Gorgeous video, thank you, glad you guys were safe!

[@johnpinion8033]

"Center for Trust Fund Administration"??? 🤣😂🤣 Oh they "administered" it, alright! Right into their pockets! Wow.😂

[@writerconsidered]

Its across state lines get the FBI involved. And whatever agency regulates banking, trust funds are a banking thing therefore they are a proxy bank.

[@kenbob1071]

...but right-wingers HATE regulations so good luck in red state Florida.

[@circe...]

FBI, SWAT, US Marshalls, CIA, Secret Service, Fire Wild Life Rescue, and Captain Benson from SVU... everybody needs to be on this case, setting up profiles on the wall, dispatching units to stakeout, hacking into secure websites!!! The spokesperson doesn't look serious enough for this situation. WHERE IS THE MONEY AND WHAT TIME WILL IT BE DEPOSITED BACK INTO MY BANK ACCOUNT????

[@Paul_Wetor]

There should be strong internal controls to watch over so much money. Who was watching the piggy bank?

[@corvette62_27]

Who was the CPA?

[@kenbob1071]

Don Trump.

[@susiedupuy9532]

Why hasn't the police been called?

[@Chris-pe6xj]

Nothing new, these " non profits" are a racket.

[@AnarSchism.]

I blame Trump and climate change

[@Maybe1Someday]

Dude *steals* $100M from a brick and mortor place his fmaily had positions at over the course of more then a decade and noone can find him? Not to mention the place only helped disabled people? Just show his picture, he'll be found. How many people knew and helped?

[@plynn136]

Why are people still letting others handle their money with no oversight?

[@robertewalt7789]

Didn’t the non-profit have auditors?

[@lockman004]

Stealing from disabled people is beyond low.

[@suntzu6122]

Wouldnt there be a paper trail of where the money went??

[@Xx-po1fu]

Scamming is big business in Florida

[@SA-ej7zb]

I watched a video where a little girl and her family were held at gun point by authorities for taking a doll from dollar tree. This guy steals 100 million from the needy and no one seems to be actively pursuing him... Amazing.

[@carlrosa1130]

How is someone now on to this?!?!?!!? How does this happen?!?!?!?

[@hansoconner6898]

They waited two years to take any action or inform any law enforcement agency that they can't remember who?!?! The minute that money was found missing you call the authorities not a law firm!!! It sounds like they were making sure to protect themselves first from any legal action than anything else!! Financial crimes of this magnitude you call the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission not a law firm.

[@augurcybernaut4785]

Not a single photo of Gavani nor his daughter….? How?

[@steveburke7675]

A lot of people equate "not for profit" with business morals. Big mistake.

[@justamarie9272]

A lot of mentally/physically disabled adults end up on the streets when their parents die and have no relatives. Some of the parents set up trust funds, they end up using it themselves when they are elderly or they get scammed. Very common.

[@bennyneal5186]

What kind of collateral did they put up for the money?

[@DaleMeese]

This guy needs to be put in prison in solitary confinement for the rest of his life. Or put in prison and put in the courtyard with everyone being informed what he did and then walk away.

[@warthogA10]

For those who haven't been paying attention; there's A LOT of money in the non-profit industry... Do research on every registered "non-profit" and see how much those at the top are paid each year, or what their net worth is, and how... Also how much they spend on "advertising" (because thats where they play with the numbers a lot) How much they spend on "fundraiser dinners" for wealthy donors etc.. You'll be shocked.

[@SoloSailorDave]

Anyone who promises to return the money while clapping their hands means there will be no money being returned. They all deserve criminal charges.

[@saraxdouglas8577]

A HUNDRED MILLION....!?!? SOMEBODY IS SOOOOO GREEDY!! 💙☮️🙏

[@David53D]

That's more money than anyone would ever need. Best leaving the country and staying lost using the cash to create a new life otherwise it's court, lawyers and prison.

[@xr2863]

It's obvious where your sympathies lie

[@Headwyres]

It's not missing. It's fraud...

Its stuff like this that is why I stopped giving to any organized charities and "nonprofits" many, many years ago and instead give directly to those in my community in a variety of ways and needs. This is just gross corruption and incompetence.

[@angusmackaskill3035]

It didnt vanish, it just isnt accounted for.

[@otadashi1570]

Took two years from the time they were aware of the "loans" to when they reported it. There are a lot of people in on this scam including that woman in the red dress. Unfortunately, the money is likely transferred off shore and laundered through a casino and then pieces of it carted off to who knows where. It's gone. Only thing to do is get some agency to invest a million dollars in expenses to try to sort it out and bring people to justice. Easier said than done.

[@Bigrignohio]

Learned TWO YEARS AGO? And they did NOT report it to the police. Did not report it to the customers. Did not report it to the government in any way.

[@johnsouth3912]

Been to Europe and Asia a few times but can’t say where the rest of the cash is.

[@jdleg409]

Throw all of the board and leadership during that time in jail.

[@documissionexploringknowle9513]

It's funny how they word it as Missing, no it's stolen.

[@irwinsaltzman979]

Normally there is an accounting system that keeps,this from happening. Discovered the loan?