Former Florida Surplus Lines Association Leader Indicted

A former executive director and past president of the Florida Surplus Lines Association (FSLA) has been indicted for allegedly embezzling an estimated $130,000 in association funds.

Roger Gobler has been charged with 11 counts of mail fraud and five counts of wire fraud related to the theft of FSLA funds by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida—Jacksonville Division.

The indictment comes nearly a year after association officers said they discovered the theft in February 2012. At that time, the FSLA says it notified law enforcement authorities and dismissed Gobler, who at the time was serving as the association’s executive director.

According to a nine-page federal indictment, the 81-year-old Gobler, starting in 2007 and continuing until 2011, allegedly opened a series of bank accounts in Jacksonville under the FSLA name where he deposited association dues and other monies.

Gobler then allegedly used the money to pay personal expenses including a personal America Express account and other credit card bills, life insurance premiums, and personal automobile repairs. He also allegedly used the money to pay creditors and businesses and deposited FSLA checks directly into his personal bank account.

The indictment also charges that Gobler generated false quarterly financial statements to hide the alleged theft from the FSLA’s board of directors.

According to the Clerk of Court for the U.S. District Court, a trial date has been scheduled for March 4.

Gobler’s attorney had no comment.