WHAT THEY’RE READING: “Scott hasn’t returned donations from businessman accused of trust fraud”
New reporting finds that Medicare fraud Rick Scott hasn’t returned donations from Leo Joseph Govoni, who is accused of defrauding individuals with special needs.
- Axios asked Scott in late June why he hadn’t returned Govoni’s contributions to his fundraising committees, which totaled at least $85,000.
- He declined repeated requests for specifics about when and where the money was donated.
- FEC filings released on Monday show that Scott’s campaign donated only $15,800 to a foundation for those with disabilities — the day after Axios inquired about the money.
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Axios: Scoop: Scott hasn’t returned donations from businessman accused of trust fraud
- Months after fraud allegations against Leo Joseph Govoni came to light, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott hasn’t returned tens of thousands the Pinellas businessman donated to support his campaign, federal election records show.
- Thousands of families watched their money evaporate after entrusting it to Govoni’s nonprofit, which managed trust funds for vulnerable people, according to court records.
- Axios asked Scott in late June why he hadn’t returned Govoni’s contributions to his fundraising committees, which totaled at least $85,000.
- Scott’s campaign spokesperson, Will Hampson, said in text messages on June 27 that the committees had donated “contributions from this donor to charity.”
- [Scott’s campaign spokesperson] declined repeated requests for specifics about when and where the money was donated.
- FEC filings released on Monday show that Scott’s campaign donated only $15,800 to a foundation for those with disabilities — the day after Axios inquired about the money.
- Joint fundraising committees for Scott received $116,800.00 from Govoni, his wife, Jane, and his son between Aug. 8, 2018, and May 21, 2021, according to FEC records.
- Leo Joseph and Jane Govoni also held a fundraiser for Scott in 2018, while their son donated the maximum amount allowed to Scott’s campaign that year, FEC records show.
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