Guilty in Investment Scams RICO Case

Ludovic Laroche, of Cape Coral, was convicted in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) case involving a series of investment scams. A jury returned the guilty verdict just after 6 p.m. tonight, following a 10-day trial in Lee County. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody to await sentencing.

State Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit Chief J.D. Miller prosecuted the case.

Laroche was found guilty of:

· RICO – Use of Proceeds to Acquire Title, Right or Equity in Real Property, First Degree Felony

· RICO – Use of Proceeds to Operate Enterprise, First Degree Felony

· Fraud Related to Investment or Securities, Third Degree Felony – 13 counts · Sale or Offer of Unregistered Securities, Third Degree Felony – 12 counts · Second Degree Grand Theft – 5 counts

· Third Degree Grand Theft – 29 counts

The case originated as a joint investigation between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and The Office of Financial Regulation.

The investigation began in 2020 when FDLE received a complaint about Laroche making presentations at churches in Southwest Florida, utilizing various schemes to scam people out of their money.

The defendant developed multiple fraudulent storylines to steal money from people. He targeted victims through the presentations in Haitian churches and on Creole radio.

He got victims to give him money to invest in real estate, telling them he bought and flipped houses, and promised an annual return on their investment. In another scheme, he got victims to give him money he claimed was to invest in a taxi service.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2025.

Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director