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Feds seek homes, cars tied to alleged Orlando crypto Ponzi scheme
Federal prosecutors are moving to seize multimillion-dollar homes and luxury vehicles tied to Christopher Delgado, the man accused of running a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme through Goliath Ventures.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Federal prosecutors are moving to seize multimillion-dollar homes and luxury vehicles tied to Christopher Delgado.
Delgado is accused of running a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme through Goliath Ventures.
The backstory:
Victims told FOX 35 News they invested retirement savings into the company because they personally trusted Delgado. One pastor said he and his wife lost everything they had worked to build and later developed stress-related health problems tied to the case.
According to court filings, prosecutors are targeting an $8.5 million mansion in Windermere, a $3.2 million home in Winter Park and another Orlando property worth more than $3 million. The forfeiture filing also includes several luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis, a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley.
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Prosecutors allege Delgado used investor money to finance a lavish lifestyle while operating Goliath Ventures, which they describe as a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme.
Former Assistant State Attorney Michael Becker, who is not involved in the case, said asset seizures are often one of the few ways to recover losses.
"The goal is going to be to try to make the victims whole and, frequently, in financial cases, the only way the victim can get even a significant part of their money back is with the defendant's cooperation," he said.
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Court proceedings tied to the case continue to move forward separately. Goliath Ventures is in bankruptcy proceedings, and a judge is seeking the return of donations Delgado allegedly made to Central Florida charities. Federal prosecutors have not yet filed a criminal indictment against Delgado, and mediation in the case is not scheduled until next year.
Delgado remains in home confinement at his Isleworth mansion while the federal case continues.
The Source: This story was written based on court proceedings, interview with alleged victims, and former Assistant State Attorney Michael Becker, who is not involved in the case.