Pasco Couple Charged With Stealing $480,000 From Wrigley Heiress

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has charged two Pasco County residents with bilking the heiress to the Wrigley chewing gum fortune out of nearly $500,000.

The FDLE arrested Chet Alan Ragsdale, 45, and Barbara DiCioccio, 52, both of 5621 Sea Turtle Court in New Port Richey, on racketeering, money laundering and grand theft charges in the theft of more than $480,000 from Helen Rosburg Rich, 69, of Odessa.

Rich is the great-granddaughter of Wrigley chewing gum founder William J. Wrigley. In 2006, she eschewed the posh Palm Beach lifestyle and moved her family to a 127-acre farm off Gunn Highway in Odessa where she rescues and rehabilitates animals.

DiCioccio worked as Rich’s bookkeeper and Ragsdale helped manage her farm.

In April 2017, FDLE agents launched an investigation after inconsistencies in Rich's banking accounts were brought to light. During the investigation, agents learned Ragsdale and DiCioccio both had access to her bank records and accounts.

According to the FDLE, the investigation revealed several checks made payable to Rich had been deposited into Ragsdale’s account and a joint account he had with DiCioccio. Agents determined that DiCioccio would open the mail and give the checks to Ragsdale, who would ask Rich to endorse the checks. Rich believed the checks were being deposited in her bank account. Instead, Ragsdale and DiCioccio reportedly stole the money. The FDLE said the couple used it to purchase real estate, pay off credit cards and for personal expenses.

Both were arrested Monday, May 21, and taken to the Land O' Lakes Detention Center. Ragsdale is charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, 25 counts of grand theft and money laundering. He's being held in lieu of a $2 million bond. DiCioccio has been charged with racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, 28 counts of grand theft, money laundering, 25 counts of forgery, 25 counts of uttering a forged instrument and dealing in stolen property. She's being held in lieu of a $1.1 million bond.

The Office of Statewide Prosecution will prosecute the case.

Images via Pasco County Sheriff's Office