by Structured Settlement Watchdog
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office has filed a civil action against the St. Petersburg-based The 
Directed Benefits Foundation, Inc., Leo Joseph Govoni, Jr., Karen Fisher, Elizabeth Sauer and Boston Finance Group Center, LLC in June 2024, styled
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS, Plaintiff,
v.
THE DIRECTED BENEFITS FOUNDATION, INC.,
LEO JOSEPH GOVONI, JR;
KAREN FISHER, ELIZABETH SAUER, BOSTON FINANCE GROUP, LLC,Defendants
Download AG Moody Govoni complaint 6-2024
Defendants allegedly stole money from Disabled Beneficiaries Special Needs Trusts
The Civil Action states that the FOUNDATION marketed itself as a business that would provide crucial trust services (the formation and administration of Special Needs Trusts) to some of this country’s most vulnerable populations (disabled trust beneficiaries receiving means-tested public assistance such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income). Instead of providing these services, the
FOUNDATION, with the direct support and participation of the other Defendants, stole monies
from these beneficiaries, many of whom were already the victims of at least one horrific event
resulting in debilitating personal injury. As a result, the beneficiaries will not be able to supplement
basic public assistance benefits and programs with their recovered monies, which are usually the
result of extended civil litigation
CAUSES OF ACTION
1. Theft (Section 812.04 Florida Statutes)
2. Violations of Florida Deceptive and UnfairTrade Practices (Sections 501.201 et seq. Florida Statutes)
3. Dissolution for Ultra vires Acts (Against the Defendant FOUNDATION)
What does Ultra Vires Mean?
Ultra vires is a Latin phrase used to describe an act that requires legal authority but is done without it.
4. Revocation of Charter, Injunction and Recovery of Profits Under Section 617.2003, Fllorida Statutes
Related Reading
Clearwater man sued over $100 million loss accused of more trust fund fraud (tampabay.com)
AG Ashley Moody: Leo Govoni stole from vulnerable people with special needs trusts (wfla.com)
Nightmarish Special Needs Trust Update – Who can we trust??? – Bogleheads.org