TAMPA, Fla., (WFLA) — Another hurdle in the case against Leo Govoni was overcome in Federal Court on Tuesday.
Govoni is the Pinellas County businessman found liable for the disappearance of more than $100 million dollars from special needs trusts.
His longtime accountant, John Witeck, is also charged alongside him in the case.
Tuesday’s hearing in front of Judge Natalie Adams was to decide on a motion disputing delaying the trial to next May.
Witeck’s attorney filed the motion challenging the decision on the trial being pushed back.
The trial date was set for February of next year, but during a hearing last month, was pushed to May 2027.
Witeck and Govoni are both charged after federal prosecutors said the two built a scheme convincing their victims the money they put into the special needs trust was safe.
Govoni was found liable in the disappearance of more than $100 million dollars from the bankrupt Center for Special Needs Trust Administration.
“Anyone that steals from disabled people, they have a certain place in hell,” said Sean Burke.
In late July, 8 On Your Side’s Alessandra Young spoke with Sean Burke, one of the alleged victims. Burke had an incident at a hospital years ago that left him a quadriplegic. He did reach a settlement with that hospital in 2023.
He put his money into a trust, which is how he heard about Govoni in the first place. He said Govoni allegedly stole half a million dollars from him.
“That man is a coward,” he said.
Court documents reveal the mountains of evidence that need to be combed through to get ready for the trial.
According to the documents, the evidence gathering process is not complete.
In court on Tuesday, Judge Adams set a date for late January of next year where all the material needs to be ready to review.
Govoni and Witeck are facing 15 grand jury charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
Alleged victims have been waiting and waiting to find out where their money went.
“Where did it go?” Burke said.
The judge laid out an entire schedule of deadlines for both parties to meet.
The exact day for the trial to begin was not brought up during Tuesday’s hearing.