‘Devastated & heartbroken’: Felon accused of making fake pledge to Dick Vitale’s charity

SARASOTA, Fla. — A Florida man is facing charges after investigators said he used a false name and identity to try to buy a luxury car and two properties.

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Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies announced charges against Robert Schnepf in a news release, and said the convicted felon also used a false identity to pledge money he didn’t have to sportscaster Dick Vitale’s charity.

Deputies said in the news release they were alerted to suspicious transactions involving a man who identified himself as Robert “Banagino.” Detectives said “Banagino” hired a Sarasota realtor, and claimed to be a business owner visiting the area after Hurricane Ian. “Banagino” expressed interest in two properties, valued at $17.5 million and $5.2 million, and once the transaction process had begun, “Banagino” indicated an interest in buying a Rolls-Royce, detectives said.

At a Sarasota car dealership, deputies said the man, still identifying himself as “Banagino,” agreed to buy a 2002 Mercedes-Benz valued at more than $132,000. When he signed the documents, the buyer opted for the purchase option but signed his name as “Robert Schnepf.”

While at the dealership, deputies said that the man alluded to having millions of dollars in assets and needing to donate money for tax purposes. The manager at the car dealership introduced the man to Vitale, who founded The V Foundation.

The V Foundation was founded in 1993, and says on its website that it was created with one goal in mind: “To achieve Victory Over Cancer.”

“Banagino” met with Vitale at the sportscaster’s home, and pledged to contribute $3 million to the foundation, deputies said in the news release.

Deputies said they identified “Banagino” as Robert Schnepf, 48, a two-time convicted felon. Schnepf was on probation for grand theft and was previously arrested on charges of grand theft, criminal impersonation and possession of forged documents.

Responding to the charges, Vitale said on Twitter: “This morning I am DEVASTATED & HEARTBROKEN to find out he is a notorious con man who has been arrested numerous times all over from NYC to Florida. I believed that we had $3 Million for kids vs cancer. I am sick to think in my house he was hugging my wife & I & so happy.”

Schnepf was charged with scheme to defraud more than $50,000 and was taken to jail on a $100,000 bond.

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