Hundreds of thousands of dollars missing from disabled Aurora man’s special needs trust

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — An Aurora family was left outraged and in disbelief after hundreds of thousands of dollars intended to help care for their disabled son disappeared.

More than $100 million is still missing from a St. Petersburg non-profit, in charge of the trusts of vulnerable people.

This is the 10th family profiled by FOX31’s news partners at News Channel 8, and it’s the same tragic story. Chase McMinn, 47, was first robbed of his life in 2017 and now again, seven years later.

“He was a very vibrant and busy guy all the time 6-foot-1,” said Milt McMinn, Chase’s father.

Milt McMinn said one September day in 2017, his son’s fate forever changed.

An angry customer shot Chase McMinn, who was one of the owners of a Colorado auto shop at the time, in the face.

“He can’t walk,” he said. “He can’t talk, He can’t eat, can’t move. He requires a feeding tube. He requires 24/7 care.”

Through several lawsuits including workman’s compensation, he was awarded money to care for him for the rest of his life. That money was placed at St. Petersburg’s Center for Special Needs Trust Administration.

When asked about how the money is used, Milt McMinn said it goes to his son’s care.

“There’s so much,” he said. “It runs many thousands of dollars a month, and that’s even with him being covered by Medicare and Medicaid.”

But in February, the McMinns faced yet another tragedy.

“I’m confused; I’m outraged,” he said. “I’m worried. I don’t sleep at night.”

The Center filed for bankruptcy, and Chase’s money had vanished. He is one of at least 1,500 trusts impacted.

Milt McMinn said between $200,000 and $400,000 is gone. He said he’s not too sure because he believes the documents that were provided by the Center over the years are bogus.

Center founder Leo Govoni stands accused of siphoning over $100 million in funds that was intended to help vulnerable people but instead loaned it to other businesses under his control.

“We still have a little bit of money left to last until the end of the year, but after that, we are in trouble,” Milt said.

While Govoni is not facing criminal charges, he and his business partners are facing civil litigation from Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office for theft. Court records showed Govoni is fighting General Moody’s injunction to freeze all his assets, including his personal bank accounts.

“I spoke with people and law enforcement, and they are doing the investigation, and they are trying to make a big case and hand it over to the Department of Justice, so we’ll see,” Milt said.

He said he wants to see those responsible held accountable as well as oversight.

The case is making its way through federal bankruptcy court. The next hearing is on Tuesday afternoon in Tampa.

If you are a victim of this case and want to share your story, please contact Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller at bmuller@wfla.com.

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