Executives convicted in $5M economic development scam

FORT MYERS — A federal jury found three people connected with VR Laboratories guilty of defrauding Lee County of $4.7 million in economic development grant funds. 

In a decision announced Feb. 27, the jury found Kay F. Gow, 68, and Robert T. Gow, 77, both of Naples, and John G. Williams, 67, of Virginia Beach, Va., guilty of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The Gows were also found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering and illegal monetary transactions, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office.