The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is sharing this news
release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida:
FORT MYERS - United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III
announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Alfred W. Lenz (68, Montague,
Michigan) with three counts of wire fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum
penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also
notifies Lenz that the United States intends to forfeit a house in Montague,
Michigan, and the contents of a Charles Schwab Retirement Account, which are
alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses. In addition, the United
States is seeking a money judgment in the amount of $2,380,465.11, the proceeds
of the wire fraud scheme.
According to the indictment, Lenz was the Controller for the
Vineyards Development Corporation (VDC) in Naples, Florida, from March 31, 2005
until April 27, 2012. Between January 11, 2007 and December 9, 2010, while
employed as VDC Controller, Lenz allegedly embezzled $2,380,465.11 from VDC. He
used the money to buy real estate and for other personal expenses. Lenz used
his position to hide eighty-seven $24,000 check payments, totaling $2,088,000,
to an account which he controlled. Lenz made false entries in the VDC books and
concealed the true nature of these check payments. He also caused seven wire
transfers, totaling $292,465.11, to be sent from VDC’s bank account, into a
bank account that he controlled.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has
committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is
presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret
Service and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Economic Crimes Unit, with
assistance from the Office of the State Attorney, Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David G. Lazarus.
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MEDIA CONTACT: William Daniels, 813.274.6388
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/FLM
