The Brief
- A federal bankruptcy judge approved the $5.5 million auction sale of Big Storm Brewing, one of the largest remaining assets tied to Pinellas County businessman Leo Govoni, who faces federal fraud and money laundering charges.
- Prosecutors say the sale is part of a broader effort to recover money Govoni allegedly stole from disabled clients through the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration.
- Victims say the sale is a step forward but only recoups a small fraction of the $100 million investigators believe was taken.
CLEARWATER, Fla. – A once popular brewery in St. Petersburg will soon be under new ownership after a federal bankruptcy judge approved the auction sale of Big Storm Brewing, one of the most valuable assets linked to the criminal case against Leo Govoni.
The brewery sold for $5.5 million, a fraction of what federal prosecutors say Govoni owes families whose trust funds were drained through the Center for Special Needs Trust Administration, the non-profit he founded to manage settlements and lifelong care funds for disabled clients.
“It’s just a tiny percentage of what is owed back to all of these people, so it’s just frustrating,” said Rebekah Bowman, whose son’s account was being overseen by the center.…