Larry Gilmore, the owner of a Las Vegas construction company, became the center of a crime scene when he was allegedly kidnapped by a Henderson man. William Costa, 42, is facing serious charges including kidnapping, coercion with the use of force, and extortion after his wife, Cynthia Marabella, was accused by an IRS investigation of embezzling $20 million from Gilmore's business over the span of seven years, as reported by 8 News Now.
Costa, who was taken into custody and remains behind bars, has his bail set at $1.5 million. The sequence of events leading to his arrest began last Thursday, when Gilmore noticed a purple Lamborghini, which he had been informed by the IRS was bought with funds embezzled from his company. This encounter soon turned violent as a black Chevy Suburban rear-ended Gilmore’s car, setting off an altercation that escalated to his abduction. According to an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal, Costa presented Gilmore with two grave options: either clear Marabella’s name or face the murder of his family.
In a turn of events, after Costa and accomplices allegedly conducted an hour-long conversation threatening an entire family’s life in the desert, they allowed Gilmore to speak to his father regarding the allegations against Marabella, before driving him back and leaving his car at M Resort and Casino. Despite the risk, Gilmore later reported the kidnapping to the police, revealing minor injuries consistent with the violent ordeal as described by police reports obtained by 8 News Now.
Police subsequently arrested Costa at his home last Friday, after initial resistance to leaving his residence. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that evidence found on an Instagram page connected to Costa's security business displayed images resembling forced captivity training, which mirrors the tactics reportedly used against Gilmore. Costa's legal team has not responded to the allegations. Marabella could not be reached for comment, and there are no recent criminal cases associated with her in state or federal court records.
Costa is scheduled to appear in court on March 12. Gilmore has confirmed that Marabella is no longer employed by his company, but declined to comment further.
