Florida Department of Law Enforcement Arrest Six In Racketeering Scheme

Warrants issued for two additional suspects

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on May 19 arrested six central Florida residents on charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, money laundering and grand theft. 

Arrest warrants were issued for two additional suspects.

Agents believe the group conspired to defraud Simon Property Group from May 2006 through June 2011.

Those arrested include:

• Lynette Lauria, 62, 1632 Orangethorpe Lane, Clermont, Fla.

Charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, money laundering and grand theft; booked into the Lake County Jail on $302,000 bond;

• Robert Lauria, 63, 1632 Orangethorpe Lane, Clermont, Fla.

Charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft; booked into the Lake County Jail on $301,000 bond;

• Sarah Lagi, 34, 3629 Foxchase Dr., Clermont, Fla.

Charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft; booked into the Orange County Jail on $301,000 bond;

• Susan Ortega, 55, 7412 Green Tree Dr., Orlando, Fla.

Charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft; booked into the Orange County Jail on $301,000 bond;

• Ryan Deming, 39, 155 S. Court Ave., Unit 2702, Orlando, Fla.

Charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft; booked into the Orange County Jail on $301,000 bond; and

• Dale Takio, 38, 11222 Oakshore Lane, Clermont, Fla.

Charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft; booked into the Lake County Jail on $301,000 bond.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the following individuals:

• Rachael Lauria, 39; charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft; and

• Timothy Herman, 49; charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft.

The investigation shows that the group, using existing corporations or creating new ones, requested payments for services that were never rendered, received money as payment and then used corporate bank accounts to funnel money back to Lynette Lauria, who often authorized the payments from Simon Property Group.

Lynette Lauria served as a marketing director for the company with the ability to authorize payment for invoices.

“This elaborate scheme to steal and launder millions of dollars has been shut down and arrests have been made thanks to great collaboration between FDLE and my Office of Statewide Prosecution,” said Attorney General Bondi.

This case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.

“This criminal enterprise stole more than $20 million from Simon Property Group and remained undetected for more than five years,” said FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen. 

“I would like to express my appreciation to all who assisted in this case.”

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