Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
A government employee and a federal contractor have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, confessing to a scheme that defrauded MacDill Air Force Base’s intramural sports program of more than $150,000. Keith Pilawski, 63, of Lutz, and Edwin Ortiz, 58, of Brandon, entered their pleas on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in a case investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Guilty Pleas and Charges
Pilawski, who served as the intramural sports director for MacDill Air Force Base, and Ortiz, a government contractor, admitted their involvement in a long-running scheme. The conspiracy, which spanned from 2009 until 2024, saw Pilawski misuse his position to funnel funds from the base’s sports program.
Both individuals now face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Their sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Details of the Scheme
The fraudulent operation involved Pilawski steering all officiating duties for the intramural program to Ortiz’s company, despite other less expensive contractors being available. Pilawski also manipulated the game schedule to accommodate Ortiz’s availability, ensuring his company received all contracts.
Further deepening the fraud, Pilawski authorized payments to Ortiz for services that were either not covered under their existing contract or, in some instances, were not performed at all. Ortiz then allegedly kicked back a portion of these illicit overpayments to Pilawski, completing the cycle of the conspiracy.
Forfeiture Agreements
As part of their plea agreements, both defendants have committed to forfeiting funds acquired through their criminal conduct. Pilawski has agreed to forfeit $67,183, while Ortiz will forfeit a larger sum of $163,300, reflecting the proceeds of the illicit activities.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, underscoring the commitment to integrity within military installations. Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn Hoenemeyer is prosecuting the case for the government.
