By Jennifer Edwards
Enquirer staff writer

FLORENCE - Federal authorities today confirmed they are conducting a white collar criminal investigation of part owner of the Florence Freedom minor league team and how he financed the construction of the team's $7 million to $8 million stadium.

The Cincinnati office of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office of Southern Ohio are investigating Chuck Hildebrant, 45, of Morrow, said FBI spokesman Special Agent Michael Brooks.

"We can confirm there is a federal investigation into Mr. Hildebrant and transactions occurring in regards to the Florence Freedom stadium and that's about all we can provide right now," Brooks said.

Brooks declined to say today when the investigation began, what sparked it or if other individuals or companies are under investigation.

Work on the stadium halted in July after contractors said they were not paid for work done. As of today, 21 contractors have filed 23 liens totaling $4 million.

Florence Mayor Diane Whalen declined today to comment on the federal investigation, saying she hasn't been notified.

"Nobody has put me on official notice," she said.

The confirmation of the investigation is the latest in a line of woes this week for Hildebrant, who has been ordered by courts in Hamilton and Warren counties to pay a total of almost $4.5 million to two banks, Provident and Fifth Third.

The banks sued last week for money they say Hildebrant owes from recent loans, including one note from May 5 for $2.75 million to "build baseball stadium."

On Monday, Fifth Third's attorney, Alan Statman, filed papers in Kenton County Circuit Court alleging "fraud" was involved in a loan Hildebrant applied for and received in July.

It involved a letter of intent he submitted that purported to have the signature of the superintendent of the Little Miami School District, according to Statman.

The district would either buy or lease land one of Hildebrant's companies owns, according to the letter.

But on Monday, the superintendent, Dan Bennett, said he never signed the letter. An attorney for the school district provided a letter saying as much to Fifth Third Bank that also was filed with the court.

And a Warren County judge has authorized the sheriff to go into Hildebrant's Morrow home and seize his possessions. The sheriff's office has that order and that action is pending, said sheriff's spokesman Capt. John Newsom today.

Hildebrant has referred questions to his attorney, Ray Stewart of Covington.

Today, downtown Cincinnati attorney Jack Rubenstein said he is now Hildebrant's attorney.

"Mr. Stewart no longer represents him because of a conflict his office has in the matter," Rubenstein said. "Their office has a conflict with representing the bank that bought Provident Bank."

Rubenstein said they are working with Provident Bank to resolve the matter; he declined to comment on the Fifth Third allegations. He said he has advised Hildebrant not to speak with the media at this time.

Hildebrant, he noted, has not been restricted in any way and can travel.

"I can tell you we are working to resolve all matters," Rubenstein said. "That's as much as I can say."

E mail jedwards@enquirer.com.