Ex-Goliath Ventures CEO pleads guilty in $328M crypto Ponzi scheme

ORLANDO, Fla. - Christopher Delgado, the former CEO of Goliath Ventures, who is accused of operating a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency investment company as an alleged Ponzi scheme, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to federal charges.

Goliath Ventures CEO plea agreement

What we know:

Delgado reached a plea agreement with prosecutors and agreed to plead guilty to:

• Conspiracy to commit fraud
• Wire Fraud
• Money laundering

According to the plea agreement, Delgado faces a maximum 20 years on each count of conspiracy to commit fraud and wire fraud, and a maximum of 10 years for money laundering.

He has also agreed to pay at least $250 million in restitution to those impacted by the alleged scheme, the plea agreement said, and the forfeiture of several assets, including luxury homes, vehicles, designer watches and jewelry.

He also cannot change his plea. According to the agreement, Delgado's plea is binding and cannot be changed or withdrawn ahead of sentencing.

According to the agreement, Delgado has also agreed to "cooperate fully with the United States in the investigation and prosecution of other persons, and to testify, subject to a prosecution for perury or making a false statement, fully and truthfully, before any federal court proceeding or federal grand jury in connection with the charges in this case and other matters…"

Sentencing scheduled

Sentencing has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the U.S. Courthold in Orlando.

Charitable donations returned

According to the plea agreement, at least three organizations that received donations from Mr. Delgado or his company returned those donations, totaling $290,000: 

• $255,000 - Victoria's Voice Foundation
• $10,000 - Life and Liberty
• $25,000 - Conservative Solutions for Florida

What they're saying:

Delgado walked out of court and was straight to a waiting vehicle. He did not talk to any reporters who were waiting outside the courtroom.

However, one of his attorneys did speak on his behalf.

"Today, only one person in this matter stood up and took responsibility for his actions. That was Mr. Delgado," the attorney said.

"At the end of the day, what Mr. Delgado wants and hopes for is that all the victims receive clarity, justice, and eventually closure," the attorney said. 

Alleged co-conspirators

Delgado's attorneys alleged after the court hearing that other people worked with or profited from Goliath Ventures or Delgado. 

The DOJ has not named or charged any other alleged co-conspirators in the overall Ponzi scheme.

The backstory:

Delgado, the former CEO of Goliath Ventures, is accused of using money from investors to fund a lavish lifestyle.

Investigators said Delgado would promise investors large returns with cryptocurrency opportunities, but would instead use the money on luxury items.

The company typically required a $100,000 initial investment from new investors, according to investigators.

One investor told FOX 35 they lost $750,000 from their investment with Goliath Ventures. Another investor, a couple, said they invested all of their retirement funds.

Delgado was arrested and charged in February. Investigators said he operated the Ponzi scheme from January 2023 to January 2026.  

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