MacDill Air Force Base employees plead guilty in $150K intramural program fraud case

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Gregory W. Kehoe, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida | Department of Justice

MacDill Air Force Base employees plead guilty in $150K intramural program fraud case

Keith Pilawski, 63, of Lutz, and Edwin Ortiz, 58, of Brandon, have entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Both individuals could face up to 20 years in federal prison. As part of their plea deals, Pilawski has agreed to forfeit $67,183 and Ortiz has agreed to forfeit $163,300—amounts representing proceeds from their criminal activity. A sentencing date is yet to be scheduled.

According to court documents, the fraudulent scheme took place between 2009 and 2024 while Pilawski worked as the intramural sports director at MacDill Air Force Base. During this time, Pilawski directed all officiating work related to the base’s intramural sports program to a company operated by Ortiz. He also arranged game schedules around Ortiz’s availability and authorized payments for services not covered under contract or not performed at all. Ortiz then returned a portion of these overpayments back to Pilawski.

"This case was investigated by Air Force Office of Special Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer."

The investigation was conducted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.