Accused fraudster Chris Delgado of Orlando often sported flashy bling as he hyped cryptocurrency opportunities through Goliath Ventures, which provided the cash for him to amass a collection of opulent timepieces, cufflinks, bangles and half a dozen luxury vehicles.
But now, according to a federal court filing, it may be time for him to give up the jewelry and cars.
Federal agents allege Goliath Ventures was a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors in Central Florida and elsewhere of $328 million.
Government lawyers filed a forfeiture inventory Monday in U.S. District Court in Orlando, listing 18 ultra-expensive watches and a dozen vehicles, including a Rolls Royce Ghost and a Rolls Royce Culllinan, each of which has a resale value of well over $300,000, according to the Kelley Blue Book price guide.
Another car on the roll, a 2024 Lamborghini Huracán, boasts an even higher resale price with the upper limit at $430,000.
Most of the vehicles, including a collectible 1951 Mercury, are listed either in the name of Delgado, Goliath Ventures or both.
Two are registered to an owner identified only by their initials, D.S. and A.S.
U.S. attorneys want the property to be turned over as a condition of Delgado’s continued pretrial release.
He is facing charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
If convicted on all counts, Delgado faces up to 30 years in federal prison.
Delgado, 34, was president and chief executive officer of Goliath Ventures, formerly known as Gen-Z Venture. He posted a million-dollar bond last week and was ordered confined to his $8.5 million Isleworth mansion, one of six properties he owns in Central Florida.
A court hearing set for Thursday morning could decide if Delgado must surrender the property the government wants.
U.S. attorneys said in the court filing their motion is unopposed.
But the judge seemed skeptical he had the appropriate authority. He directed attorneys from both sides to be prepared to discuss and to cite “relevant legal authority” about pre-indictment forfeiture of extensive assets and what law gives a judge the authority to impose the conditions.
The judge is requiring Delgado’s presence in court.
The list of items targeted by U.S. Treasury agents also include 10 Rolexes and five Swiss-crafted Audemars Piguet timepieces, one of which was listed at $349,000 on the website, wristaficionado.com. The descriptions add to the allure: One of the Audemars Piguet pieces is a Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin gold watch with a smoked yellow-gold-toned “Petite Tapisserie” dial, while among the Rolex watches is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date watch in gold with a chocolate, diamond-set dial, diamond-set bezel, and diamond-set President bracelet.
The roster included eight Tiffany & Co. gold bangles or bracelets with inset diamonds or emeralds. Some appear to be part of a special jewelry collection named for Pharrell Williams, the American-born fashion designer, singer-songwriter and music producer who won a Grammy for the 2015 pop smash, “Happy.”
Federal authorities also want Delgado to turn over a men’s diamond-encrusted ring featuring Goliath Venture’s logo and seven pairs of cuff links, three featuring the Goliath logo and others bearing the logo of either Rolls Royce, Christian Dior or Louis Vuitton.
Although Goliath had represented that it would put investors’ funds in cryptocurrency liquidity pools, the money primarily was used to pay purported returns to earlier investors, return principal to investors who demanded it back and to pay for Goliath’s extravagant business gatherings, holiday parties, and luxury travel accommodations, federal authorities said in a news release that followed his arrest.
Victims identified by law enforcement will directly receive notice of their rights pursuant to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.
Authorities said if you believe you are a victim and have not otherwise received notice, email Goliathvictims@ci.irs.gov or visit a web page set up for victims at justice.gov/usao-mdfl/goliath_ventures for more information on how to self-identify yourself to law enforcement.
