The federal fraud investigation tied to Oakes Farms has produced another conviction. Farm manager Mark Frisbie pleaded guilty, agreed to repay $3.25 million and is cooperating with investigators as prosecutors continue building their case.
A farm manager tied to Oakes Farms admitted falsifying crop-insurance claims that triggered more than $1.7 million in payments. Mark Frisbie is the 10th defendant to plead guilty and has agreed to testify against his coconspirators.
A former Oakes Farms executive denies stealing millions, instead alleging he carried out fraud schemes at Alfie Oakes’ direction. The claims expand a growing federal case tied to pandemic aid, insurance and business practices.
A former Oakes Farms executive admitted to a long-running price-gouging and fraud scheme tied to a federal food program serving schools and military bases. Prosecutors say the operation used inflated invoices and mislabeled foreign produce to overcharge the government.
Francis “Alfie” Oakes III amended his fraud lawsuit against a former executive, alleging at least $12.5 million was stolen through invoices, checks and wire transfers.
A federal judge ruled a lawsuit filed by Oakes Farms against its former CEO will remain in U.S. District Court, rejecting arguments that the case should be returned to Collier Circuit Court.
The longtime accountant for Oakes Farms pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a federal fraud investigation, becoming the eighth defendant to cooperate in a probe tied to pandemic-era relief programs and agricultural funding.
A former Oakes Farms executive said he relocated to California because he feared for his safety after cooperating with federal prosecutors in an ongoing fraud investigation tied to pandemic-era farm aid programs.
Former Oakes Farms CEO Steven Veneziano Jr. is asking a federal judge to dismiss most claims in a lawsuit accusing him of stealing $12.5 million, as Alfie Oakes seeks to move the case back to state court.
Alfie Oakes filed a lawsuit against former vice president Steven Veneziano, alleging he stole $12.5 million from Oakes Farms through shell companies to fund gambling and luxury spending. Veneziano has pleaded guilty in a separate federal fraud case.
