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Key Takeaways: Oakes Raid & COVID Relief Fraud Investigation Overview

Key Takeaways: Oakes Raid & COVID Relief Fraud Investigation Overview
A new investigative report by WINK News—“Exclusive: Investigation reveals millions in COVID relief fraud after Oakes raid”—sheds light on a sweeping fraud case involving federal pandemic relief funds. The report comes nearly nine months after a high-profile federal raid at Alfie Oakes’ North Naples home and Immokalee-based Oakes Farms facilities (sources: Gulf Coast News Now, Gulfshore Business, Facebook, YouTube).

Scope of the Fraud

Federal prosecutors revealed that Steven Anthony Veneziano Jr., former Vice President of Oakes Farms, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a multi-year conspiracy to defraud the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) between 2020 and 2022.The scheme involved:

  • Submitting false claims about crop ownership and production
  • Coordinating with unnamed co-conspirators
  • Exploiting the USDA’s emergency relief program designed to support struggling agricultural producers during the pandemic

Money Trail

  • Over $5 million in fraudulent USDA relief disbursed
  • $1 million directed to Veneziano Farms LLC
  • $157,000 received personally by Veneziano

(Source: Gulf Coast News Now)

Legal Fallout

Steven Veneziano Jr. has:

  • Admitted guilt to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering
  • Agreed to forfeit more than $1.15 million, including Naples-based property
  • Committed to full restitution to the USDA
  • Sentencing Date: November 17, 2025

Each charge carries:

  • Up to 20 years in prison
  • Fines up to $750,000

Alfie Oakes Status

Despite the November 2024 federal raid, Alfie Oakes has not been charged or directly implicated in the fraud, as of the latest reports (sources: Gulf Coast News Now, Gulfshore Business).

Key Timeline

DateEvent
Nov 2024Federal agents raid Oakes’ properties in Naples and Immokalee
2020–2022Fraudulent USDA relief claims submitted by Veneziano and co-conspirators
Aug 15, 2025WINK News releases exclusive investigative report
Nov 17, 2025Veneziano scheduled for sentencing

Bottom Line

The investigation reveals a coordinated effort to exploit federal COVID-era aid programs, resulting in millions in misallocated taxpayer funds. While former Oakes Farms executive Steven Veneziano Jr. has pleaded guilty, the full extent of involvement—if any—by others, including Alfie Oakes, remains to be seen.