Naples accountant pleads guilty in over $2 million conspiracy case

FORT MYERS, Fla. —  A Naples accountant pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States.

WINK News captured video of 75-year-old Thomas Unsworth leaving the court Tuesday morning with his attorney and wife.

Court records show Unsworth, a certified public accountant, admitted to conspiring with others to defraud federal programs, including the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

Unsworth is accused of "signing false certifications for conspirators to submit to the federal government to fraudulently receive benefits," court records cite.

In the courtroom, prosecutors said Unsworth's actions enabled farmers and others to obtain over $2 million in government funding.

Two unnamed co-conspirators were also mentioned in court records.

"Coconspirator 1 was a client and friend of Unsworth's who owned numerous businesses in or around Southwest Florida," court records cite.

According to court documents, "Coconspirator 2 owned a farming operation and a large produce wholesale-and-distribution company in New Jersey."

Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years of imprisonment, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross loss caused by the offense, and a term of supervised release, according to the plea agreement.

Unsworth and his attorney declined to comment following the hearing.

WINK News is committed to following this case and will update you as we learn more.