On November 7, federal authorities searched the home and produce packaging facility of grocery tycoon Francis Alfred “Alfie” Oakes III in North Naples, taking out boxes all day and into the night.
Alfie Oakes’ house in North Naples
According to a lawsuit filed on October 14 that seeks $2.78 million from the couple and Oakes Farms OP, the raid involving the U.S. Secret Service, Defense Criminal Investigative Services, and IRS happened one week after Oakes’ wife, Deanne, received foreclosure papers on a $4.1 million federal farm loan for the second time. If they failed to pay the amount they owed by August 30, they risked having their collateral, such as crops and farm equipment, seized.
Federal agents would not disclose if the raid was related to the foreclosure or the $18.1 million in contracts that Alfie Oakes has received from the U.S. Department of Defense since 2008 for vegetables, dairy products, and eggs.
“We are unable to provide comment as the U.S. Secret Service will not confirm the existence or the status of an investigation,” was the only statement made by the Secret Service.
North Naples attorney Steven Bracci, who represents Alfie Oakes, did not return calls or emails for comment. “Farm Credit of Florida ACA’s ongoing litigation … is not related or connected to any known lawful enforcement activity or investigation,” stated attorney Ryan Mittauer of The Liles Firm in Jacksonville.
Local Republicans conjectured that Oakes, a former state GOP committeeman and ardent admirer of former President and current President-elect Donald Trump, was the target of a politically motivated raid. A day before the Jan. 6, 2021, uprising, Alfie Oakes, the owner of Seed to Table, Oakes Farms, and Food & Thought, among other companies, arranged for two buses to transport Trump supporters to the U.S. Capitol to protest the 2020 election results. Several of them were subsequently taken into custody.
On Thursday morning, federal officials descended upon the Alfie Oakes residence on Santa Cruz Court in the Villages of Monterey, as well as South Florida Produce, one of his businesses. The Florida Highway Patrol helped to secure the area. Gloves on, agents entered and exited with boxes and documents.
According to federal data, covering 21,065 transactions involving vegetables, eggs, and dairy products, Oakes Farms Food & Distribution Services LLC has received $18.1 million in Department of Defense contracts since 2008. The greatest payments were in 2021, followed by 2022, and have been declining through this year. The Department of Justice, DOD, and the Defense Logistics Agency were the awarding agencies, and the Bureau of Prisons was mentioned as a sub-agency.
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Wisdom Thomas is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that provide a global perspective on local and cultural news. With years of experience in the field, Wisdom has a keen eye for detail and a knack for connecting with diverse audiences. His writing style is engaging and informative, making complex issues accessible to readers from all walks of life.
