More than $2.8 million in forfeited funds have been distributed to ten Okaloosa County charities following a federal investigation into illegal gambling and money laundering at Racetrack Bingo in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The funds come from assets seized as part of criminal proceedings against Larry and Dixie Masino, who operated Racetrack Bingo under the pretense of supporting local non-profit organizations but instead retained over $5.8 million in profits between 2006 and 2015. These proceeds were meant for charities or to be returned to bingo players as prizes.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Victims of crime too often suffer losses at the hands of criminals that cannot ever be restored, but my office is committed to taking action to ensure those offenders cannot reap or retain the benefits of their wrongdoing, and we will remit the proceeds of those forfeitures whenever possible to compensate victims to the greatest extent. This case required substantial effort from our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate and bring the defendants to justice, and this multi-million dollar recovery by my office and remission to victim charities will have a meaningful impact on our community.”
Following their prosecution, the Masinos were ordered to forfeit money from bank accounts as well as three properties. The Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) approved returning these funds through its Asset Forfeiture Program, which compensates victims when possible.
The charities receiving distributions include The ARC of the Emerald Coast; Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast; Emerald Coast Science Center; Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County; Horizons Foundation of Okaloosa County; Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties; Northwest Florida Ballet; Northwest Florida Fair Association; Okaloosa County Festival Association; and Order Sons of Italy in America, Joseph B. Franzalia Lodge 2422.
Sheriff Eric Aden commented: “After all these years of investigation and legal battles, I am thrilled to see these forfeited funds returned to the deserving charities of Okaloosa County. This long-awaited justice not only holds the perpetrators accountable but also restores vital resources to organizations that uplift our community.”
Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker from IRS Criminal Investigation Tampa Field Office added: “Through financial fraud, Larry and Dixie Masino betrayed charities providing important services to their communities. I am proud of the work IRS Criminal Investigation special agents, our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office did to ensure these charities were made whole again.”
The case resulted from collaboration among multiple agencies including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General. Additional information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. Details about the U.S. Attorney’s Office are available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
