Tripp Scott’s Henny Shomar & Josh Needell Victory in Bizlinc Asset Seizure
Court Orders Seizure of Assets of BizLinc Operators Including Former Lincoln Avenue Business Incubator
A report by Howard Davies
A Polk County Circuit Court judge has authorized law enforcement across the state to seize assets belonging to Florida Development Corp, Inc. (FDC) to satisfy a $341,555.56 judgment, marking a major turning point in an ongoing civil suit involving the business incubator operator.
The court issued a formal Writ of Execution on July 13, 2026, commanding all Florida sheriffs to levy property owned by FDC to collect the debt. The order stems from a lawsuit brought against FDC by three private investors, Lamar Dula, Michael Ross, and Jim Landrom. According to court filings by plaintiffs' attorney Henny L. Shomar, statutory post-judgment interest has been accruing on the $341,555.56 principal since May 2.
The court actions highlight a troubled chapter for FDC and its BizLINC facility, which entered into a multi-year agreement backed by $1.2 million in federal ARAPA grant money via the City of Lake Wales.
Over its tenure, the incubator project has faced persistent public criticism over business licensing compliance, code enforcement issues, property tax questions, and an ongoing lack of clear, measurable performance deliverables under FDC leadership. Lake Wales News.net first raised questions about the competency of FDC to operate a business incubator shortly after the first year of operations, citing numerous operational failings and poor advice given to clients and businesses they were coaching.
Despite those mounting issues, FDC/BizLINC and Chief Operating Officer Derrick Blue received wholehearted support from Lake Wales Mayor Jack Hilligoss and former Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson, who repeatedly defended the organization during city commission and CRA board meetings while dismissing public scrutiny and media reports. Lake Wales News.net reached out to both HIlligoss and Gibson for comment on the settlement in favor of the three FDC investors but has received no response.
The levy authorization follows a June 17 ruling by Circuit Judge Jennifer A. Swenson granting the plaintiffs entitlement to litigation costs and attorney's fees. However, official court records show that when the judge's order was mailed to FDC Chief Operating Officer Derrick Blue at the BizLINC incubator facility was returned unopened to the Bartow courthouse on July 1, stamped "undeliverable." FDC initially fought the civil suit, conducting depositions of the plaintiffs, witnesses, and reporters who broke the story. Once the matter went to trial, however, no defense was mounted.
With the writ now active, the plaintiffs may pursue execution against FDC's property, bank accounts, or corporate assets until the judgment is satisfied. FDC leadership has not filed a response regarding the undelivered court correspondence.
FDC, originally operated by a trio of investors including COO Derrick Blue, CFO Efrain Cornier, and CEO Charles Young, disintegrated after Young was accused by Blue and Cornier of defrauding the corporation of more than $100,000. Young was indicted and remains awaiting trial, with a pre-trial period extended to September 18, but that may be in doubt given the unavailability of his accusers.
