Veterans Plead Guilty to $150K Fraud Scheme at Florida Air Force Base Sports Program

Former intramural sports director and contractor at MacDill AFB admitted to 15-year fraud conspiracy involving inflated invoices and kickbacks, prosecutors say.

TAMPA, Fla. | Two retired U.S. service members, including the longtime intramural sports director at MacDill Air Force Base, have pleaded guilty to defrauding the base’s sports program of more than $150,000 over a 15-year period, federal prosecutors announced.

Keith Pilawski, 63, who managed MacDill’s intramural sports program since 2006, and Edwin Ortiz, 58, a retired Air Force noncommissioned officer and government contractor, carried out the scheme between 2009 and 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Both men admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors said Pilawski funneled contracts to Ortiz’s officiating company, inflated invoices, and received kickbacks from overpayments. Ortiz, whose company supplied referees for intramural games, was accused of submitting false claims for services not performed or exaggerated game schedules.

Details of the Scheme

• Pilawski was responsible for recruiting teams, scheduling games, and arranging referees. Regulations required him to use active-duty personnel before hiring outside contractors.
• Instead, Pilawski steered work exclusively to Ortiz’s company, even adjusting game schedules to fit Ortiz’s availability.
• Prosecutors said Pilawski also worked as a referee for Ortiz, effectively double-dipping by collecting both his government salary and contractor pay.
• Fraudulent invoices exaggerated the number of games officiated, leading to inflated payments. Ortiz then funneled money back to Pilawski.

Financial Penalties

As part of their guilty pleas:

• Pilawski agreed to forfeit $67,183.
• Ortiz agreed to forfeit $163,300 — and his attorney said he has already repaid restitution in full.

“Ortiz is a highly decorated retired NCO who proudly served our country for over 23 years,” his defense attorney Anthony Rickman said in a statement, noting Ortiz’s cooperation with investigators and acceptance of responsibility.

Impact on MacDill AFB

The intramural sports program at MacDill, home to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is funded through congressionally appropriated Air Force funds. The fraud scheme diverted resources intended to support morale and recreation for active-duty airmen.

Investigation and Next Steps

The case was investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) and federal prosecutors. Sentencing hearings for both men have not yet been scheduled.

If convicted at sentencing, each faces a potential prison term for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

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-- By Sarah Darden

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