Who is Brent Seaman? 5 things to know about Naples man charged in $35 million Ponzi scheme

The Naples power couple dressed up for galas that raised millions and posed for a photo with former President Trump.

Then the world changed for Brent and Jana Seaman this week when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged him with bilking mainly elderly and retired people in Naples in a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme. The feds also named in the complaint Jana Seaman, who has agreed to pay back more than $757,000.

The charges have made international headlines, with stories in British tabloids and People magazine.

Here's what to know about the Seamans.

Who is Brent Seaman

Brent Adam Seaman is 49 years old and lists little personal information in his social media profiles.

However, court records show a variety of cases attached to Seaman.

Naples resident Katie T. Gover, 36, filed a civil suit in March, claiming Seaman was liable for injuries she suffered in a vehicle crash. Gover alleges that, on Oct. 11, 2022, she and was driving north on U.S. 41 and Seaman was behind her in the same lane when he rear-ended her vehicle, records show.

Attorneys for Gover ― who was seeking more than $100,000 in damages ― on July 14 filed a motion requesting more time to serve Brent Seaman. In the motion seeking the extention, her attorneys said they've tried since the spring to serve Seaman at two addresses he provided on Banyan Boulevard but such efforts have been unsuccessful.

They allege Seaman "may be concealing his whereabouts and is aware of the attempts to serve him the complaint and/or may have left the state of Florida," the court document said.

Records also show Seaman was married before. Angela D. Seaman filed for divorce in 2016 after the couple had been married since 1994.

In 2013, Capital One Bank filed a suit in small claims court against Brent Seaman, seeking $500 to $2,500, and both sides settled. Another company, Cach LLC, sued Brent Seaman in 2013 for $8,000 to $15,000 but the sides apparently settled because Cash sought to dismiss the case in 2014.

Promoting the business

The website for Accanito Capital Group listed its main office as 405 Fifth Ave. S., second floor. The company's Facebook and Instagram accounts are no longer working. A downtown Naples office phone number Friday morning was working with the greeting "Thank you for calling Accanito Capital Group," with options to hit a number or leave a name and number for someone to call back.

On his LinkedIn profile as founder and CEO of Accanito that began in 2012, Brett Seaman wrote: "My motto is: 'businesses don't grow; relationships do' ― and that is evident in all that I do. I am a connector of people and you could say I am obsessed with the mission."

His LinkedIn said Accanito Capital Group "is a private equity group; a holding company that invests primarily in technology companies. We separate ourselves from venture capitalists and private equity firms in that we embrace the all-encompassing needs of a growing company."

He listed other titles, such as executive board member of the Naples-based Surge Data, the "industry's leader in accurate Targeted Decision Maker Data, with focus on providing customer service that builds strong relationships with our customers."

And Brent Seaman listed himself as CEO and founder since of Naples-based Red Base Interactive that operated from 2009 to 2012 as "an affordable prepackaged solution for B2B email marketing into specialty markets such as Higher ED, K-12, Technology Decision Makers, Sales and Marketing Leaders. Serving hi-tech and technology services companies globally."

On his personal Facebook, Brent Seaman promoted his "Industry Knowledge," "Tools & Technologies" and "Interpersonal Skills."

Who is Jana Seaman

Jana Seaman's Instagram lists herself as "WIDOWED MOTHER OF 2 → SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR" with wording "Driving Global Ventures to Sustainable Success @valoholdingsgroup" and "@surge.trader"

The website purefotografica.com told more about her past in a 2021 story, revealing how her husband Jon, an Army veteran of Afghanistan, died in 2016 after battling leukemia. The couple lived in Kentucky and they had two daughters at the time, ages 5 and 1.

Jana Seaman and her girls took a vacation in Ana Maria Island, Florida, and she dreamed of "living near the beach, a big family, and a home full of love."

"Little did she know, her dream was coming to pass as more confirmation was heading her way, just as God had promised her," the story said. "Brent showed up into her life and changed everything. He was a bright light that took her by surprise and was everything she had been praying for. Brent was kind, he was a man of faith, he was a dad, and God placed him into her life at the perfect moment."

The two began a long-distance relationship and eventually wed.

Luxury life in Naples, Florida

Both personal Instagram accounts of Brent and Jana Seaman reveal their luxury lifestyle, with his ― @brentaseaman ― showing photos of him boarding corporate jets, including a pic of a dark blue Ferrari with the license plate "BIG PIPN" parked on a tarmac. Sub-categories beneath his profile were titled "The Word," "Best Life," "Water Play," "Eat For Sport" and "The Trader."

In the SEC news release outlining the complaint, federal authorities alleged that "Seaman solicited investors by touting his proven success."

"Seaman also allegedly misappropriated millions of dollars for himself, in part to purchase luxury automobiles and to pay for trips on private planes," the release said.

While his Instagram has 3,434 followers, his wife's ― @jana.seaman ― has 95,000 followers. She last posted Friday morning on her storyline, with videos of her working on a local Habitat for Humanity project. Jana Seaman's profile reads "WIDOWED MOTHER OF 2 → SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR" and many of her posts show her posing in or near luxury cars and boarding jets.

Photo ops with Donald Trump, Michael Flynn

Seaman and Jana reveal in social media photos that they're supporters of former President Donald Trump. In one, she even wore a one-piece swimsuit with "Make America Great Again" along the front.

The pair were pictured with President Trump in a Dec. 9, 2021 post at the Naples Jet Center with the wording: "Night To Remember. Love that @jana.seaman and I are able to build these memories with our kids. I introduced Brennen to President Trump. I said … I know everyone is going to ask you tonight about running or talk politics. I just want to say you are a great Dad. You have raised great kids. This is my oldest of 6 Brennen. We have your same house rules. It worked out for me too.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸"

That same night, they posed with former Gen. Michael Flynn: "Jana Ard Seaman and I had a great lunch with ⭐️⭐️⭐️General Flynn last week. Jana’s late husband served under him in Afghanistan. Interesting conversations and experience."

The Seamans were seen often at Naples' more lavish events, including the galas every winter. He and his wife even appeared in a Naples Daily News story on April 24, 2022, about the STARability Foundation Gala at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, that raised $3.2 million two months earlier. Accanito Capital Group was the presenting sponsor for the event.

Jana Seaman also was co-chair of the 2023 STARability gala held Feb. 11.

"I love supporting the caring, enthusiastic and positive team that provides valuable support to the STARs and their families through social, educational and employment opportunities," Seaman said in a news release.

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on Twitter @NDN_dosborn.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: 5 things to know about Florida man charged in $35 million Ponzi scheme