Authorities have arrested 57-year-old Steven Harry Minard in Honolulu after he allegedly swindled a high-profile investor out of $1 million for a massive development project that existed only on paper.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed the arrest, which followed a multi-agency investigation into a scheme centered on “Orlando World Live” (OWL), a purported multi-billion-dollar entertainment hub that was supposed to transform the downtown Orlando skyline.
The project was marketed as a futuristic urban masterpiece featuring celebrity partnerships and projected revenues topping $1.6 billion.
However, forensic financial analysis and witness interviews revealed a different story: no permits were ever filed with the city, and no contracts were ever signed. Instead of building a development, investigators say Minard used the victim’s money to settle his own personal debts and cover unrelated business expenses.
Law enforcement caught up with Minard in Hawaii just as he was attempting to board a flight to Houston. The arrest involved a massive collaboration between the Florida Office of Financial Regulation, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) units in New York, Orlando, and Honolulu, and local police.
“This case exemplifies the reach of our Statewide Prosecutors, who partner with state, local, and federal law enforcement to bring criminals back to Florida to face justice,” Attorney General James Uthmeier said. He credited the seamless coordination between state and federal partners for tracking Minard down across state lines.
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Michael Alfonso, HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge, noted that the scheme did more than just drain bank accounts. “The impact of this scheme reverberated far beyond its victims, eroding public trust and undermining confidence in legitimate investment opportunities,” Alfonso said. He emphasized that HSI remains committed to pursuing those who exploit others for personal gain.
Florida Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Russell C. Weigel, III, echoed those sentiments, thanking the investigative teams for their “hard work in bringing this case forward” and vowing to continue the fight against scammers targeting Floridians.
Minard is currently held in Hawaii pending extradition back to Florida. He faces heavy felony charges, including one count of Scheme to Defraud over $50,000 and one count of Sale of an Unregistered Security.
The case is set to be prosecuted by Special Counsel Robert Finkbeiner in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit.
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