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. 

Schnepf is currently on probation for grand theft and has prior arrests in Florida and New York for grand theft burglary, assault, possession of forged instruments, criminal impersonation and more, authorities say.

SCSO’s Economic Crimes Unit opened an investigation Oct. 29 after receiving a report of a series of suspicious transactions from a man who identified himself as Robert “Banagino." Detectives learned  “Banagino” hired a local Realtor after claiming he was a business owner visiting Sarasota in response to Hurricane Ian, the release states. 

The suspect, police say, “expressed interest in purchasing a commercial property valued at $17.5 million and a second residential property valued at $5.2 million.” He then told the Realtor “he was interested in purchasing a Rolls Royce. The Realtor connected the defendant to a local car dealership, where he agreed to buy a 2022 Mercedes-Benz valued at more than $132,000."

"At the time of signing, 'Banagino' opted for the purchase option but signed his name as Robert “'Schnepf,'” the release states, “While at the dealership, he alluded to his millions in assets and the need to donate money for tax purposes. The dealership manager introduced 'Banagino' to sportscaster Dick Vitale. After visiting Vitale’s personal home, 'Banagino' pledged to contribute $3 million to the sportscaster’s foundation.” 

Vitale is well-known in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, often signing books and chatting with sports fans at area breakfast spots. He also puts on one of the region’s largest annual cancer charity events every May in Sarasota. Called the Dick Vitale gala, the event, which brings in a host of sports personalities and stars, raises money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The annual fundraiser has brought in more than $40 million for the foundation's work with pediatric cancer research. 

Vitale addressed the arrest and situation on Facebook and Twitter. In two tweets Oct. 29, Viale wrote: 

"A close friend of mine & his daughter a realtor called to say they have a gentleman Robert that wants to give $3 MILLION to me for the @TheVFoundation Came to my house hugged my wife & me & I had him on phone with the CEO of VF . Planned to give us check Monday. I was so EXCITED!"

"This morning I am DEVASTATED & HEARTBROKEN to find out he is a notorious con man who has been arrested numerous times all over from NYC to Florida . I believed that we had $ 3 Million for kids vs cancer . I am sick to think in my house he was hugging my wife & I & so happy."

(This story was updated to reflect that Vitale is still an active sportscaster.)