Lee County Man Awaits Sentencing After Racketeering Conviction

In January of 2025, a man from Lee County was convicted of racketeering. Authorities say that he received almost $1 million thanks to the scam, which they claim specifically targeted church-going Haitians. This is an example of a case involving the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). If you face a RICO charge in Lee County, consider speaking with a defense lawyer who has experience with federal cases.

Lee County Man Faces Sentencing for Real Estate and Taxi Scams

A man faces sentencing after being convicted of numerous racketeering offenses in Lee County. Authorities say that he specifically targeted members of the Haitian community through presentations at churches. He also ran ads on local Creole radio stations to attract individuals to his schemes.

Authorities first became aware of these activities in 2020 when they received a complaint from a churchgoer who had attended one of the defendant’s presentations. Investigators say that the defendant was telling people that he “flipped houses,” and that he could guarantee annual returns on investments. He also told people that he was running a taxi service, promising similar returns for anyone willing to invest.

It is not clear whether any of these businesses actually existed. None of the reports elaborate on this topic, but the nature of the charges suggests that the defendant was, in fact, purchasing real estate with the funds he received. The Twentieth Judicial Circuit states that one of his RICO charges involved the use of proceeds to purchase real estate. The other RICO charge involved the use of proceeds to operate an enterprise (assumedly the taxi service). Either way, the defendant reportedly received almost $1 million from these Haitian individuals.

Assuming he subsequently used these funds to invest in real estate and a taxi company, his criminal consequences must stem from his failure to provide the promised returns. This is slightly at odds with the State Attorney’s report, which describes the real estate and taxi investments as “fraudulent storylines.”

In total, the defendant faced more than 50 counts of various crimes. Aside from the RICO charges, he was charged with securities fraud, selling unregistered securities, third-degree grand theft, and second-degree grand theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced in March of 2024 after being found guilty by a jury. The trial lasted ten days. Based on these charges, the defendant could easily spend decades in prison.

Where Can I Find a Lee County Lawyer With Experienced in RICO Cases? 

If you have been accused of a RICO offense, it makes sense to work with a defense attorney in Lee County with experience in federal cases. Depending on your alleged offense, you may face penalties under both state and federal laws for racketeering. To learn more about this complex situation, consider a consultation with The Foley & Wilson Law Firm. Our experienced RICO attorneys can help you get started with a defense strategy.

Sources: 

yahoo.com/news/cape-coral-man-guilty-scamming-213125144.html

sao20.org/news-releases/guilty-in-investment-scams-rico-case/