Civil forfeiture filing alleges Indiana sports-complex developer diverted public fieldhouse funds to buy waterfront property here
A federal investigation into an Indiana sports-facility developer has a direct local thread: prosecutors are seeking to seize a $6.6 million waterfront home on Marco Island, alleging it was purchased in part with public money diverted from a city-financed athletic complex more than a thousand miles away.
Federal agents on July 16 conducted what the FBI described only as “court-authorized law enforcement activity” at the home and business of James Andrew “Andy” Card, 62, of Westfield, Indiana. Card is the founder and CEO of Card & Associates, an Indianapolis-based firm that develops and operates large sports complexes and wellness facilities across the state, including the Pacers Athletic Center in Westfield. FBI Public Affairs Officer Chris Bavender confirmed the action took place but declined to discuss specifics, including what agents were searching for.
The raid coincided with a civil asset forfeiture filing by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana, targeting a waterfront home on Marco Island owned by Card and his wife, Martha. According to the filing, roughly $2.2 million tied to the home’s purchase can be traced back to the Mishawaka Fieldhouse, a $38 million indoor athletic facility financed through city tax-increment financing and economic development grants.
Court documents allege that between October 2022 and October 2024, Card submitted false disbursement requests for construction expenses on the Mishawaka project, then moved the funds through a series of accounts before directing roughly $2.2 million toward the Marco Island property — including signed “gift letters” used to justify funds going to Martha Card for the down payment and closing costs. Prosecutors describe the disbursement requests as “materially false” and made “with intent to defraud.”
It’s important to note what this filing is — and isn’t. This is a civil forfeiture action aimed at recovering the property itself, not (as of this report) a criminal indictment against Card. No criminal charges against Card personally have been confirmed in connection with the Mishawaka project.
Card issued a statement following the raid, stepping back from day-to-day development work while maintaining his role as CEO:
“Nothing is more important than the health and happiness of my family. I am, however, temporarily relinquishing control of the development division at Card and Associates and will manage operations (as CEO) for current facilities only. My professional reputation is paramount to me. I am hopeful I will be fully vindicated.”
A company spokesperson had no further comment beyond Card’s statement.
The civil forfeiture case will play out separately from any potential criminal proceedings, and no timeline has been set for a resolution. Card has not been convicted of any wrongdoing, and the allegations in the forfeiture filing remain, for now, allegations. Marco Island Naples News will continue following the case as it relates to the Marco Island property and will update this story as new filings or statements emerge.
Sources: Court filings, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana.
Handy finds for island living, boating and beach days — updated by our editors