Grifters at FDOT: Former Employee Tracy Dean Tronco and Her Husband Accused of Stealing Over $370,000 in Federal Grant Funds
In a stunning revelation from the United States Attorney’s Office, Tracy Dean Tronco, 51, and Alejo Tronco-Diaz, 50, both of Lakeland, Florida, have been indicted for their alleged roles in a massive fraud scheme that drained over $370,000 in federal grant funds. The charges include conspiracy to commit federal program theft, mail fraud, and two counts of federal program theft.
According to the indictment, Tronco, who worked as a Transit Coordinator at FDOT’s District 7 office in Tampa, was responsible for overseeing transportation projects intended to benefit Florida residents. However, it is alleged that she misused her position to funnel over $370,000 to her husband’s ministry, Ministerio A Gran Voz De Trompeta Campus, Inc., and another religious group claiming partnership with the ministry. The money was supposed to be used for property renovation, job services, vehicle purchase, and maintenance costs, but instead, it vanished into the pockets of Tronco and co-conspirators.
Tronco’s husband, who operated the Ministerio, is said to have falsely portrayed the church as a provider of transportation services to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, and unemployed. This deceit allowed the couple to misuse the grant funds without raising suspicion.
The indictment also reveals that Tronco failed to disclose her conflict of interest when awarding grants to her husband’s ministry, which would have precluded her from handling such awards. Tronco resigned from FDOT in 2016 after the fraud was discovered.
Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow warns that an indictment is a formal charge and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation into this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Scruggs.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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