Woman who created Lights For Layla nonprofit arrested on fraud, grand theft charges

A Cape Coral woman who set up a nonprofit that she said would raise money for improving safety at school bus stops has been arrested on a fraud charge.

Cape Coral Police say Randi Romanoff is accused of grand theft and fraud after creating the Lights for Layla nonprofit in 2019 and using funds for her own personal gain.

Lights For Layla, Inc. was created in the wake of the March 2019 death of Layla Aiken, an 8-year-old girl who was hit and killed by a car at her school bus stop in Cape Coral.

The nonprofit was able to generate more than $72,000 that donors believed would go toward helping to improve bus stop safety.

While some of the funds did actually go to the Aiken family, other funds were used for beach resorts, toll violations, retail shopping and an Xbox.

The case has been forwarded to the State’s Attorney’s Office. Romanoff was being held in Lee County Jail on unrelated charges when she was served.

Romanoff faces charges of grand theft, scheming to defraud, and multiple counts of violation of the Solicitation of Contributions Act.