Pinellas County resident charged in money laundering scheme

Alexander Leszczynski, a resident of North Redington Beach, has been indicted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Middle District of Florida on a litany of alleged financial fraud schemes, including money laundering, check kiting and a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program application that allegedly netted him $195,910.

Leszczynski, 22, appeared in court on Tuesday, May 17, and was ordered to be detained until his trial, according to a news release. He’s accused of using a fictitious charity, Love & Bliss Inc., as part of a $2.7 million money-laundering operation.  

When federal officials froze $337,000 in an account that Leszczynski controlled, the release states, he allegedly responded by producing a fabricated pardon that he claimed was signed by former President Donald Trump.

In a separate fraud scheme, Leszczynski, the release states, is accused of filing fraudulent warranty deeds purporting to deed to himself and his businesses 10 properties around the United States collectively valued at more than $300 million. When property owners and attorneys attempted to correct the fraudulent deeds, Leszczynski allegedly responded by sending harassing and threatening letters, emails and faxes. 

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Largo Police Department, the Indian Shores Police Department and the Palm Beach Police Department.