Jeff Atwater: Nonprofit Director Used $900,000 on Self

A 35-year-old Fort Myers man fed an extravagant lifestyle, including international travel, through state money directed for disabled individuals in Southwest Florida, the states Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced Monday.

Robert Michael Eugene Gene Bruist was charged with aggravated white collar crime, grand theft, scheme to defraud, and communications fraud for misappropriating more than $900,000 in funds intended for use by the now-defunct Center for Independent Living of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit that was providing services to persons with disabilities in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties

Bruists arrest was the result of a joint investigation by Atwaters Office of Fiscal Integrity and the Florida Department of Educations Office of Inspector General.

When someone steals state funds for personal gain, it is no different than stealing directly from the pockets of hard-working, honest Floridians, Atwater stated in a release. Holding Bruist accountable for disregarding his responsibility to disabled Floridians sends a clear message that we will defend the taxpayers of this state and crack down on this kind of corruption and fraud.

Investigators claim Bruist, who was executive director of the center, drew state money from federal grants, nonprofit grants and individual donations for his own personal use.

Bruist faces 95 years in prison, a $2 million fine in addition to paying back the $900,000 if convicted.