Former Oakes Farms Executive Makes Claims in Ongoing Federal and Civil Court Disputes

NAPLES, FL — A former senior executive of Oakes Farms has made new statements in court filings related to an ongoing federal case and a separate civil lawsuit between him and the company.

Steven A. Veneziano Jr., who previously held leadership roles at Oakes Farms and its affiliated companies, has submitted filings claiming he relocated from Florida to California in late 2024 due to concerns for his personal safety while cooperating with a federal investigation into COVID-related relief funding.

The statements appear in documents filed as part of a civil lawsuit brought by Oakes Farms, Oakes Farm Op, and South Florida Produce, which collectively allege that Veneziano misappropriated company funds for personal use. The companies are seeking approximately $12.5 million in damages.

Veneziano has pleaded guilty in a separate federal criminal case involving fraudulent applications for COVID-era agricultural relief funds. He is awaiting sentencing, currently scheduled for March 23 in Fort Myers.

In filings submitted to the court, Veneziano states that he cooperated with federal authorities during the investigation and that his cooperation involved multiple individuals. He claims that this cooperation influenced his decision to relocate.

It is important to note that neither Oakes Farms nor its owner, Alfie Oakes, has been charged with any crimes in connection with the federal investigation. No indictments or formal accusations have been brought against them by federal prosecutors.

In October, Oakes Farms and its affiliates filed a civil lawsuit against Veneziano and two of his companies, alleging:

The suit claims Veneziano used company resources to support personal expenses, including travel, gambling, luxury purchases and real estate.

Veneziano has denied those allegations and has asked the court to dismiss several of the claims, arguing that his companies did not directly conduct business with Oakes Farms.

The case was originally filed in Collier County Circuit Court but was later moved to federal court after Veneziano asserted that he had changed his legal residence to California.

Oakes Farms has since filed a motion seeking to return the case to state court, arguing that Veneziano maintains ongoing ties to Florida, including property ownership and prior voter registration.

Veneziano’s attorneys maintain that he legally changed his domicile and has no intention of returning to Florida. They state that he now lives in California, where he holds a driver’s license, employment, banking accounts, and has enrolled his children in school.

Oakes Farms disputes that characterization and continues to pursue its claims through the courts.

In a prior statement, Oakes Farms’ legal counsel said the company intends to recover damages and move forward.

Veneziano’s legal team has previously described the civil lawsuit as unfounded and has stated that the facts will ultimately resolve the dispute.

A status hearing in the civil case is scheduled for February 19 in Fort Myers, while Veneziano’s sentencing in the federal case remains set for March.

At this time, the matter remains an active legal dispute, with competing claims being addressed through the court system. No judicial findings have been made regarding the civil allegations, and no criminal charges have been filed against Oakes Farms or its ownership.