Man who fled to Hawaii nabbed by authorities for large financial fraud in Orlando

‘This case exemplifies the reach of our Statewide Prosecutors, who partner with state, local, and federal law enforcement to bring criminals back to Florida.’

A man accused of engaging in an elaborate investment fraud in Florida was arrested in Hawaii on charges connected to the scheme.

Attorney General James Uthmeier announced in a news release that 57-year-old Steven Harry Minard of Orlando is being charged with one count of scheme to defraud and the sale of an unregistered security. Uthemeier said Minard allegedly defrauded a high profile investor out of $1 million.

Investigators with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR),  Homeland Security Investigations along with the New York El Dorado Task Force found Minard was promoting a non-existent development project called “Orlando World Live.” Minard is accused of promoting the project as a downtown Orlando entertainment and urban renewal effort and would produce up to $1.6  billion in revenue.

“However, a forensic financial analysis and interviews with over a dozen witnesses revealed that no such project existed. No permit applications or contracts were ever filed with the city of Orlando, and the funds provided by the victim were allegedly diverted to pay off Minard’s unrelated business debts and personal expenses,” the news release said.

Once he realized he was under investigation for fraud, Minard fled to Honolulu, Hawaii. Uthmeier said officials with his Office of Statewide Prosecution were involved in alerting law enforcement in Hawaii about Minard who was apprehended trying to leave the island state through an airplane flight to Houston, Texas. He was arrested at the airport in Hawaii.

“This case exemplifies the reach of our Statewide Prosecutors, who partner with state, local, and federal law enforcement to bring criminals back to Florida to face justice,” Uthmeier said.

Florida OFR Commissioner Russell C. Weigel, III said the case is proof of the inter-agency leads that end in arrests.

“Together with our partners, we will continue to combat investment fraud and protect Floridians from scammers and bad actors,” Weigel said.

Minard is in jail in Honolulu and is expected to be extradited back to Florida. The case will be prosecuted by Robert Finkbeiner in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit serving Central Florida.