Sarasota man charged in $23M scam tried to donate to prominent cancer charity

A Sarasota man and two-time convicted felon has been charged in a multimillion-dollar fraud case that includes allegations he attempted to fraudulently donate money to a cancer charity connected to prominent ESPN sportscaster and Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale. 

Robert Schnepf, 48, of 507 S. Kumquat Ct. Unit 117, Sarasota, has been charged with one felony count of Scheme to Defraud more than $50,000, according to a statement from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, which handled the investigation and arrest. Schnepf remains in custody in Sarasota County on $100,000 bond while the investigation continues, the release states.