OFFICERS STORM OFFICE, ARREST TWO
Two Sarasota businessmen are taken away from wok in handcuffs to face federal fraud charges.
(the above are headlines on page one of the Sarasota Hearld Tribune April 5, 1997 as written by Michael Pollick)
the following is a condensation of the balance of the article
Law officers toting pistols and wearing bullet-proof vests stormed a Sarasota office and arrested two business on charges of defrauding investors of more than $200,000 and commiting wire and mail fraud.
Matthew E Klenovic and Robert P Bunte were arrested at the offices of Aqua Bio Technologies Inc and NVID International. They were handcuffed and taken to Federal Court for arraignment while investigators rifled through company files and computers.
The complaint is that they defrauded at least 25 people of over $200,000. The arrest warrants maintains that Klenovic and Bunte worked to "unlawfully sell unregistered stock and commit mail fraud and wire fraud, defrauding at least 25 persons of over $200,000. Defendants engaged in a scheme and artice to defraud investors by solicing investments, obtaining the ability to gain control over their monies, and unlawfully converting investors' monies for their purposes.
The wire fraud charges result from the allegation that the two used the Internet to promote illegal stock sales.
When contacted, Klenovic said "I have no comment other than the fact that those allegations are untrue." Klenovic and his wife, Marilee, are prominent Sarasota socialtites. Bunte could not be reached for comment.
The task force consisted of officers from the FBI, US Postal Service, and represntatives of the Florida Comptroller's Office, Division of Securities. Michael Runyon, assistant US Attorney, prosecuting the case declined to comment on the specifics of the case. All affidavits and specific complaints from investors have been sealed by the court. |
