Marco Island trucking founder sued over alleged fraud

The founder of one of the nation’s largest trucking and logistics firms and his wife are being sued by a bank that alleges the Marco Island couple fraudulently transferred the company’s $10.4 million waterfront corporate retreat to themselves to shield it from creditors. 

The lawsuit, filed Jan. 23 in Collier Circuit Court by The Huntington National Bank, alleges Richard S. Francis and Kathleen S. Francis transferred the six-bedroom, 6½-bathroom, 5,181-square-foot home on 0.53 acres at 550 S. Barfield Drive with the intent to move the equity into their personal ownership and claim a homestead exemption. Four days later, the bank filed a motion to void the Dec. 29 transfer and homestead filing, noting the property was transferred for “zero consideration.” 

The case, which also names R&R Express Properties LLC and Centennial Bank as defendants, is one of at least three lawsuits filed in recent weeks against Pittsburgh-based R&R Express, R&R Express Family of Companies and related affiliates as the parent company became insolvent after lenders warned it to wind down operations. 

“R. Francis rushed to complete the transfer before year-end in an effort to claim a homestead exemption in the property in an attempt to further shield the property from creditors,” the lawsuit states. “At the time of the transfer, R&R was insolvent.” 

Property appraiser records show that the couple, who sold their 1190 Osprey Court home on Marco Island for $2.41 million in May 2024, can port their prior $1.003 million homestead and get a $500,000 homestead exemption at Barfield Drive.

A North Carolina affiliate, Taylor Express, abruptly shut down Jan. 12, laying off all employees and leaving drivers stranded far from home, according to FreightWaves, a trucking industry publication. 

Richard and Kathleen Francis did not return calls or text messages seeking comment. 

Francis founded the company in 1983. It was named Pittsburgh’s top workplace in 2022 and has appeared on national transportation rankings. R&R Family of Companies describes itself as an asset-based transportation and logistics provider offering freight brokerage, truckload, less-than-truckload, heavy haul, refrigerated and final-mile services through brands including R&R Express, RFX and REFE. 

According to the lawsuit, The Huntington Bank and S&T Bank agreed on March 18, 2022, to provide R&R and affiliated borrowers with financing through a second-amended and restated credit and security agreement. The financing included a revolving credit facility of up to $85 million and a $3.675 million term loan. Huntington also issued a mortgage loan secured by the Marco Island property, which the lawsuit says has been appraised at $10.4 million. 

The logistics industry was heavily impacted by supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lawsuit states. Freight prices surged and peaked in mid-2022, prompting rapid industry expansion. 

“Due to these price spikes, the trucking industry rapidly expanded during the COVID crisis by adding trucks and drivers,” the lawsuit states. “However, as supply chains later stabilized, the entire industry found itself with excess capacity,” leading to a prolonged “freight recession.” 

The lawsuit alleges R&R’s financial condition deteriorated steadily and worsened significantly in 2025.

 “During 2025, R&R and the other affiliated borrowers reported significant monthly operating losses,” the lawsuit states, adding that net operating losses for the year totaled $25.9 million. 

The bank alleges the losses may have been even higher due to improper accounting practices. In November, R&R engaged G2 Capital Advisors to develop a restructuring plan that called for at least $25 million in additional lender financing. A financial adviser retained by Huntington determined the plan was not viable. 

By late 2025, the lawsuit states, R&R lacked sufficient liquidity to meet obligations, had accumulated about $65 million in trade payables and was advised by Huntington to wind down operations. The company allegedly refused and continued operating. 

During that period, the lawsuit alleges Francis “executed a fraudulent scheme designed to transfer the equity in the property away from R&R” without the bank’s consent, triggering a default under loan agreements. 

The lawsuit further alleges the Francises simultaneously took out a $5.3 million mortgage on the property from Centennial Bank without notifying Huntington. It contends Centennial knew the property was already encumbered but failed to contact Huntington regarding the transfer or new mortgage. 

As of Jan. 5, the lawsuit states, R&R’s operating loan balance totaled $40.9 million. That day, Huntington received a $5.28 million wire transfer from the Marco Island law office of Ronald Stewart Webster, described as payment toward the remaining mortgage balance. 

“The plaintiffs have yet to apply the funds to the FL loan, as fraud was immediately suspected,” the lawsuit states, noting the operating loans were already in default. 

Webster did not respond to a request for comment. 

Additional litigation has followed. On Jan. 22, Florida-based Vantage Carrier LLC sued RFX LLC and R&R Express Inc. in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania, alleging more than $1.34 million in unpaid freight invoices. On Jan. 23, Texas-based Jimenez Logistics LLC filed suit in Hidalgo County, Texas, alleging R&R Express Inc. and RFX Inc. failed to pay $264,650 for transportation services in 2025 and 2026.