366: Thomas Larned - Orion Bank Failure, VR Labs Wire Fraud

On this episode, retired agent Tom Larned reviews two fraud cases he investigated while assigned to the Fort Myers Resident Agency out of the Tampa Division, the VR Labs wire fraud investigation and the Orion Bank Failure. At the time of Tom’s investigation, Orion was the largest privately owned bank in the state of Florida. The failure of the bank cost the FDIC $884 million.

Jerry Williams, Orion Bank’s president, pled guilty and was convicted of conspiracy to misapply funds by a bank officer; to make false entries in the books and records of Orion Bank; to commit bank fraud and to obstruct a bank examination; as well as making false statements to bank examiners. Williams was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison.

In the second case, VR Lab’s owners, Kay and Robert Gow, and business partner John Williams were convicted of cheating Lee County, Florida, taxpayers out of $5 million and hundreds of potential jobs.. Kay Gow was convicted and sentenced to 10-years in prison. Williams was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.

Special Agent (Retired)

Thomas Larned

2/1990 – 2/2014

Tom Larned served in the FBI for 24 years. During his career, he assumed various roles as a case agent and an FBI senior executive assigned to the Miami Field Office, the Boston Division, FBI Headquarters, Iraq, Canada, and Fort Myers, where.

As a special agent and field supervisor, Tom successfully investigated transnational criminal organizations engaged in violent crime, drug trafficking, healthcare fraud, and financial institution fraud.

As the Legal Attaché in Iraq, Tom directed FBI operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom, managing over 130 personnel including the Hostage Working Group, Major Crimes Task Force, and International Contract Corruption Task Force (ICCTF), in collaboration with U.S. military and intelligence agencies, integrating law enforcement expertise into military planning.

He later served as the FBI’s Legal Attaché in Canada. Tom was also an Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) in the Boston Field Office, where he oversaw the Whitey Bulger fugitive investigation and crisis management operations, including SWAT, hostage negotiations, and emergency response teams. As a team leader for the Inspection Division, he conducted comprehensive audits and internal investigations to enforce adherence to DOJ regulations and FBI policies, provided oversight for high-profile investigations, while evaluating the effectiveness and integrity of operational processes.

Tom was recognized three times as the United States Attorney’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for exceptional investigative leadership and impact on high-profile cases. While leading the Orion Bank investigation, he received the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency Award for outstanding contributions to law enforcement oversight and investigative integrity. Tom also received the FBI Combat Theater Operations Medal for distinguished service in Iraq, leading critical security and operational missions in a high-risk environment.

After his retirement from the FBI, Tom worked as a senior consultant for the Freeh Group. He is currently the president and chief executive officer of The Justice Group Inc., providing consulting and support solutions to law enforcement and healthcare providers.

He was given the Key to the City of Fort Myers for exemplary service as Independent Inspector General, enhancing internal affairs investigations, local law enforcement operations and community engagement.

Tom is an author working on his first crime fiction series.