The owner of the big storm brewing ignores court orders to give control of his company

Leogoboni, a Clearwater businessman accused of receiving $100 million from the Medical Trust Fund, violated a court order by banning bankruptcy officials from entering office buildings on Monday.

Last week, the federal bankruptcy court ordered Govoni to give control over several companies, including Big Storm Brewing, to two court-appointed restructuring officers, due to concerns that they were spending money in violation of court injunctions. This order allowed them to manage all their finances and change the lock if necessary.

However, when officers arrived at Govoni’s office at 12707 49th St. N on Monday, workers who came to the door said “Mr. Govoni wouldn’t allow it,” court records state.

In response, bankruptcy councillor Michael Goldberg asked U.S. bankruptcy judge Roberta Colton late Monday to sanction Govoni and allow officers to access mandatory entry. He also asks the judge to order Govoni to appear in court to “explain his refusal to cooperate.”

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

Court records show Govoni, a former financial advisor, is currently investigating his part in the bankruptcy of a St. Petersburg nonprofit by bankrupting the FBI, Securities and Exchange Commission and St. Petersburg nonprofits. The funds were taken from more than 1,500 Medical Trust Funds established to pay medical and other expenses to disabled and injured individuals. It was not repaid.

Bankruptcy judge Colton ruled in January that Govoni would be liable for the loan repayment and additional $20 million in interest. He continues his business despite an injunction aimed at preventing the operation of several businesses that could be seized by bankrupt real estate, court records say. This includes Big Storm Brewing’s taproom, located across from his office building and left open last week.

“Simply put, until he is stopped and begins to comply with court orders, Goboni will continue to escape the most vulnerable members of society,” Goldberg wrote in the move.

Goldberg said he tried to consult with Attorney Paul Cisco, who recently represented Gobony, and Edward Peterson. In February, Peterson filed an appeal to withdraw as Govoni’s lawyer, citing the irreconcilable differences. Neither of them responded before Goldberg’s claim was filed, he said.

If the judge agrees to the complaint, Govoni could be found guilty of a court or criminal criminal offence that could result in a fine or duration of prison.

Loans from nonprofits have been granted to Goboni’s Boston Finance Group company since 2009. Goboni then purchased a private jet worth around $3.4 million and kept the pilot on staff for seven years. He flew friends to the Kentucky Derby executive suite and donated more than $900,000 to politicians and political committees.

In a statement released through his former lawyer, Govoni denies the allegations made in court records. He has not been charged with a crime. He didn’t return calls from an age where he wanted comment.

Goldberg advised trust fund holders and their families on a recent video call that it is unlikely that they will be able to recover all the missing money. The trust was set up to manage money awarded by the court in damages for traffic accidents, medical malpractice and other harm.

The nonprofit’s bankruptcy has left some families with no way to pay for medical devices, such as wheelchairs and additional living expenses.