Developer rarely backs up grandiose financial promises

An investigation by FLORIDA TODAY reporters Mackenzie Ryan and Michelle Spitzer takes a look at Tom Garo, a developer who frequently pledges high dollar donations to various organizations but who rarely follows through on his promises. Recently, Garo publicly promised more than $3 million would be given to Brevard public schools. However, school officials have not seen a single dollar, nor do they have any indications as to when they can expect the money. FLORIDA TODAY takes a closer look at Garo's financial past and finds that it includes "bounced checks, unpaid credit card debt and breached contracts." Garo has also failed to follow through on monetary pledges made more than a decade ago.