In a stunning development, Brent Kovar, already facing charges for his alleged role in the Profit Connect fraud, has been slapped with stricter bail conditions after reportedly launching another Ponzi scheme, Passive Income Everyday (PIE). The court’s decision, announced on May 15, 2025, comes as Kovar awaits trial scheduled for January 6, 2026.
A New Scheme Under Scrutiny
Kovar, accused of orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme through Profit Connect, allegedly attempted to evade scrutiny by launching PIE, with Heidi Shields acting as the public face. Shields, who appears to have been manipulated into fronting the operation, recently moved to shut down PIE, citing severe personal and professional fallout, including FBI questioning at her workplace and threats to her pharmacy technician license.
Shields’ Plea: In a May 12, 2025, court filing, Heidi Shields requested permission to submit a brief defending PIE’s legitimacy, while also revealing the emotional and financial toll of her involvement in Kovar’s alleged scam.
DOJ Pushes for Bail Revocation
The Department of Justice (DOJ) sought to revoke Kovar’s bail, arguing that his proposed safeguards—such as home detention, financial oversight, and mental health counseling—were insufficient to prevent further criminal activity. In a May 2, 2025, filing, the DOJ emphasized that Kovar’s use of a computer to run PIE and his history of concealing fraudulent activities rendered these measures ineffective.
“Kovar’s sparse record-keeping and attempts to hide his actions make financial oversight inadequate,” the DOJ stated, adding that neither employment nor counseling would deter him from committing new crimes.
Court’s Response: Stricter Conditions
While the court declined to revoke Kovar’s bail, it imposed rigorous new restrictions on May 15, 2025, to curb his activities:
- No financial transactions without approval from Pretrial Services.
- Full disclosure of financial information to Pretrial Services.
- No contact with Heidi Shields or anyone connected to PIE, including potential or existing investors.
- A ban on involvement in bitcoin or related investments during the case.
- Mandatory participation in mental health treatment as directed by Pretrial Services.
What’s Next for Kovar?
With his Profit Connect trial looming in January 2026, all eyes are on Kovar to see if he complies with the court’s new rules or risks further legal consequences. The case underscores the challenges of policing sophisticated financial scams and raises questions about the effectiveness of bail conditions in preventing repeat offenses.