October 6, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, announces on October 6, 2026, Defendant, Matthew Banks, entered a plea of guilty to all counts in thirteen cases resulting from his construction fraud, which spanned multiple counties in the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. The plea sets a cap of twenty-five years of incarceration and a stipulation of a minimum restitution of $4,760,335.58. The final judgment and sentence will be determined by the Honorable John Simon at a sentencing hearing on December 4, 2026. This plea resolves these cases with the Defendant accepting responsibility, waiving appeals, and stipulating to significant restitution. This plea brings a definitive and just resolution for 161 listed individuals victimized by Defendant’s criminal conduct.
Assistant State Attorney Robert Paul Gillespie is prosecuting the case along with the dedicated Economic Crime paralegals, investigators, and staff on behalf of State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden. Please contact ASA Gillespie at (850) 595-4200 with any questions.
