He told the telephone customer he could almost see the golf stadium from the window of the Fifth Avenue South office, regulators say. Stadium Naples, the brainchild of ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen that was proposed for land next to Interstate 75 in North Naples, never got off the ground. Rasmussen's earlier attempt at the doomed golf arena is the subject of Florida public corruption cases involving two former Collier Commissioners a local developer. Lia, who couldn't be reached for comment, is expected to be sentenced in February. Besides Lia, three other Naples brokers have pleaded guilty in the case, as have six others of those indicted.
Prosecutors say others have pleaded guilty under seal.
The defunct brokerage at various times had offices in Naples, New Jersey and New York. Former broker Charles Principato, of Connecticut, also entered a plea earlier this week. Principato pleaded guilty to enterprise corruption under New York's Organized Crime and Control Act. He could face up to 12 years in prison. Co. Also pleading guilty this week were Bridgette Mauro, Frank Latona and Joseph Pellicano, all of New York.