Reports

BOSTON – The owner of a painting company in Chelsea has been arrested and charged in connection with a five-year scheme to evade over $2.3 million in federal income taxes and with fraudulently obtaining $377,500 in COVID-19 loans.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on October 30, 2025, LINDA TRIGGS (“TRIGGS”), age 74, a resident of Marrero, was sentenced to three-years’ probation by United States District Judge Brandon S. Long, after previously pleading guilty to making a false statement related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2). TRIGGS faced a maximum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a fine up to $250,000.00, a period of supervised release up to three years, and a...

NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that DARRELL HARLAND (“HARLAND”), age 43, of Hammond, Louisiana, was charged on October 15, 2025 in a bill of information for making false statements and for theft of government funds related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that 3rd Avenue Transit, Inc. and Y&M Transit Corporation have agreed to pay $4.4 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they improperly obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for which they were not eligible.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Lakeisha Parker, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland, to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, including six months of home detention, for her role in a large, multi-member money laundering conspiracy. Judge Maddox also ordered Parker to pay more than $8 million in restitution.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Clarence Gardener (50, Odessa) with one count of wire fraud. If convicted, Gardener faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Gardener that the United States is seeking an order of forfeiture in the amount of $261,253.00, which represents the alleged proceeds traceable to the offense.

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Southside Communities Fire Protection, Inc. (Southside), a nonprofit entity providing emergency services to Chatham County, Georgia, has agreed to pay a settlement of $3,499,619 to resolve allegations that Southside violated the False Claims Act by improperly obtaining a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Fort Myers, FL – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Lester John Parker, Jr. (55, Lehigh Acres) to ten years and one month in federal prison for his role in a multi-million-dollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. Parker pleaded guilty on July 9, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Carnisha Maurica Rogers (31, Jacksonville) to 36 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, false representation of a Social Security number involving a line of credit scheme, and wire fraud involving COVID relief fraud through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The court also ordered Rogers to pay $108,867.63 in restitution to the victims she defrauded and to forfeit $20,832, which is traceable to proceeds of the wire fraud offense involving COVID relief fraud. Rogers pleaded guilty in...