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Department of Justice
North Redington Shores Man Indicted In Multiple Fraud Schemes
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Alexander Leszczynski (22, North Redington Beach) with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. If convicted on all counts, Leszczynski faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Leszczynski that the United States intends to forfeit $337,000, which represents the proceeds of the offenses, and property involved in the offenses. Leszczynski made his initial appearance on May 17, 2022, and was ordered detained pending his trial.
Department of Justice
COVID Relief Fraudsters Sentenced To Prison
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway has sentenced Tomas Ziupsnys (39, Kissimmee) to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Holly Lynn Urban (36, Kissimmee) was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The court also ordered both defendants to forfeit $632,000, which they had obtained from their participation in the bank fraud conspiracy. Ziupsnys had pleaded guilty on February 3, 2022, and Urban had pleaded guilty on January 20, 2022.
Department of Justice
Pennsylvania Man Charged with $1.7 Million Paycheck Protection Program Loan Fraud Scheme
Department of Justice
Hilo Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Paycheck Protection and Disaster Loan Programs
Social Security Administration OIG
The Social Security Administration’s Mail Processing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Objective: To determine whether the Social Security Administration (SSA) had adequate controls over mail processing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Lessons Learned from DHS' Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Initiative
Our objective was to evaluate how DHS determined employee status for placement into vaccine distribution priority groups; determine how DHS, in conjunction with VHA, planned to triage and distribute available vaccine inventory and vaccinate frontline, mission-critical DHS staff; and evaluate how DHS executed its plan.
General Services Administration OIG
Audit of GSA's Response to COVID-19: Assessment of Water Quality in GSA-Controlled Facilities
The preliminary objective of the audit is to determine if GSA implemented guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as followed GSA policies, to ensure the water is safe in GSA-controlled facilities after decreased occupancy from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Justice
District Court Enters Permanent Injunction Shutting Down Fake CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card Operation
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio entered a consent decree permanently enjoining a Columbus-area woman from producing and selling fake Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination cards.
Department of Justice
Stoneham Woman Sentenced for Identity Theft and Unemployment Fraud Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
BOSTON – A Stoneham woman was sentenced today in connection with her involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19-related unemployment assistance using stolen identities.
Department of Justice
Salem Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for COVID-19 and Tax Fraud Schemes
BOSTON – A Salem man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with orchestrating two fraud schemes involving COVID-19 relief funds and tax returns submitted using stolen identities.
Department of Justice
Boston Man Charged with Pandemic Fraud, Identity Theft, Firearm and Drug Offenses
BOSTON – A Boston man has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to fraud, identity theft, firearm and drug offenses.
Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
The Veterans Health Administration Needs to Do More to Promote Emotional Well-Being Supports Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Emergency Management issued the initial COVID-19 Response Plan on March 23, 2020, and then an updated version on August 7, 2020. The National Center for Organization Development created a COVID-19 rapid response consultation process for VHA leaders in a supervisory role. The Organizational Health Council developed a team that coordinated with multiple VHA program offices to create a COVID-19 Employee Support Toolkit and other resources. Additionally, several program offices independently created and disseminated employee well-being resources...
Department of Justice
Las Vegas Woman Sentenced To Prison For Using Stolen Identities To Fraudulently Collect Over $175,000 In Unemployment Insurance Benefits
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman was sentenced today to 45 months in prison for using at least 40 stolen identities to fraudulently collect approximately $175,622 in unemployment insurance benefits from the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Alaska Division of Legislative Audit
A Special Review of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Alaska CARES Act Small Business Relief Program
The audit concluded that the Alaska Small Business Relief Program disbursed approximately $282 million of CARES Act funds through the issuance of 5,754 grants; however, the distribution rate of grant funds fell far short of expectations. The State expected to distribute $150 million per month, yet only $18 million was distributed by the end of the program’s second month. Additionally, Results of testing found a high rate of unallowable grant awards. Auditors tested 155 grants and identified at least one error for 39 percent of the grants tested.
Department of Justice
Former Postal Employee Admits Fraud in Connection with Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Department of Justice
South Florida Political Campaign Consultant Charged with Defrauding Covid-19 Relief Program
Federal prosecutors have charged 42-year-old Royal Palm Beach, Florida resident Omar Smith with lying on a coronavirus relief loan application and fraudulently obtaining more than two hundred thousand dollars intended to help small businesses financially survive the Covid-19 pandemic.
Department of Justice
Orange County Man Sentenced to 2½ Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining $1.5 Million in COVID-Relief Loans
An Orange County man was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-relief loans that he used for personal expenses and stock market trading.
Department of Justice
Las Vegas Man Sentenced To Prison For COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Bank Fraud, And Money Laundering
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for perpetrating a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration by fraudulently applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of more than $100,000 using the name of his defunct business.
Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau
Emergency Rental Assistance and Emergency Solutions Grant Programs
The Emergency Rental Assistance program helps individuals affected by the public health emergency to cover the cost of rent and utilities. Through June 2021, DOA received $434.7 million in federal funds through the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act for the program. From March 2021 through September 2021, the program provided $64.0 million in benefits for 15,968 households. We make recommendations for DOA to improve how it administers the Emergency Rental Assistance program, including by improving the program’s application process, modifying the process for...
Department of Justice
Camden County Man Charged with Fraud in Connection with Unemployment Insurance Benefits
Illinois Auditor General
Performance Audit of the State’s Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home
In this performance audit of the State of Illinois's response to the management of the COVID-19 outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans' Home, the Illinois Office of the Auditor General identified that while the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) was notified of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home beginning on November 1, 2020, they did not identify and respond to the seriousness of the outbreak despite it being a responsibility of the department to provide guidance and monitoring to protect the residents at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home.
Department of Justice
Providence Man Sentenced in Wide-Ranging Bank Fraud and COVID Small Business Loan Schemes
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Providence resident was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for using the stolen personal identifying information (PII) of unsuspecting individuals to defraud banks and retailers, and for fraudulently seeking more than $3.3 million dollars in small business loans earmarked for businesses impacted by the pandemic, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
Purchases of Smartphones and Tablets for Veterans’ Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated efforts by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to expand veteran access to telehealth. Accordingly, VHA’s Connected Care Office created a new digital divide consult to issue iPhones to veterans experiencing homelessness who were enrolled in the Department of Housing and Urban Development VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. VHA was already loaning iPads to other veterans who lacked telehealth capable devices through the digital divide consult process. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) initiated this review to evaluate whether purchases of...
Department of Justice
Charlestown Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud Related to Unemployment Benefits
BOSTON – A Charlestown man living under a false identity was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on charges arising from his use of the name and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen.
Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Announces Results Of Multi-Faceted Strategy To Combat Fraud Related To COVID-19
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved to date by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to COVID-19. Those efforts have included complementary actions by the Criminal, Asset Recovery, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Department of Justice
Seminole County Man Extradited From Croatia To Face COVID Relief Fraud Charges
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Don V. Cisternino (45, Chuluota) has been successfully extradited from Croatia to face charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and illegal monetary transactions. A federal grand jury in Orlando previously returned an indictment against Cisternino for these charges in February 2021. If convicted, Cisternino faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count, up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each illegal monetary transaction count, and a mandatory consecutive term of two years for...
Department of Justice
Nigerian citizen pleads guilty to COVID-19 unemployment fraud on Washington and 17 other states
Tacoma – A 45-year-old resident of Lekki, Nigeria, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for using stolen identities to claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic-related unemployment benefits, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.
Oregon Secretary of State
State Leaders and Policymakers Must Address Persistent System Risks to Improve K-12 Equity and Student Success
The Student Success Act provides an extra $1 billion of tax money a year for early childhood education and K-12 school improvement. It requires the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to track district performance and work with districts to improve, building on other recent state and federal initiatives and bringing the state the closest it has been to meeting the funding recommendations of the Quality Education Model. This advisory report identifies five key risks we found that could undermine K-12 system improvement as the state implements the 2019 Student Success Act. The report draws on...
Department of Health & Human Services OIG
National Snapshot of Trends in the National Domestic Violence Hotlines Contact Data Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery
Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery | Quarterly Report to Congress
Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery
Independent Review of 4003(b) Loan Recipient’s Validation Memo – JetBlue Airways Corporation
Department of Justice
Former Department of Unemployment Assistance Employee Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
BOSTON – A former employee of the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) was sentenced yesterday for conspiring to misuse her position in an effort to obtain Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) funds through fraudulent claims, including claims using identities she stole.
Department of Justice
Woman Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Fraud
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Defendant Millisen M. Martínez-Medina pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Camille Vélez-Rivé to 13 counts of theft of government funds from the Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. She was charged in 12 separate cases regarding PUA fraud in April and October of 2021.
Department of Justice
Bergen County Company Sentenced for Price Gouging KN95 Masks During COVID-19 Pandemic
Department of Justice
Naples Felon Indicted For COVID Relief Fraud
Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Daniel Joseph Tisone (34, Naples) with wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, illegal monetary transactions, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Tisone faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count (4 counts) and bank fraud count (6 counts), a 2-year minimum mandatory term of imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft counts (2 counts), up to 10 years in federal prison for each illegal monetary transaction...
Department of the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of Apache Tribe of Oklahoma
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) proceeds as reported in GrantSolutions, and to assess risk of unallowable use of funds. The scope of our review will include obligation and expenditure data as reported in the GrantSolutions portal.
Department of Justice
Maryland Doctor Facing Federal Indictment for COVID-19 Healthcare Fraud Scheme is Part of a Nationwide Coordinated Law Enforcement Action to Combat Health Care Related COVID-19 Fraud Announced by the Justice Department Today
A federal grand jury in Maryland has indicted Ron Elfenbein, M.D., age 47, of Arnold, Maryland, for three counts of healthcare fraud for submitting false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and other insurers for patients who received COVID-19 tests at sites operated by the defendant. The indictment was returned yesterday.
Department of Justice
Portland Housekeeper Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud after Stealing Covid-Relief Funds
Department of Justice
Four more defendants charged in COVID-19 fraud schemes
Four people have been charged with participating in COVID-19 relief fraud schemes, and three of them have already pled guilty.
Department of Justice
Santa Clarita Man Sentenced to Nearly 3½ Years in Federal Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-Relief Loans
A Santa Clarita man was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison for attempting to steal millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-relief loans for his companies by submitting fraudulent applications that included fake tax documents and information for non-existent employees.
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Management Alert - FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Operating Procedures Are Inconsistent with Previous Interpretation of Long-Standing Regulations for Eligible Funeral Expenses
We are issuing this management alert to advise the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that its Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Funeral Assistance Program operating procedures contradict FEMA’s previous interpretation of long-standing regulations for ineligible funeral expenses established in FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG). This interpretation of regulations for ineligible funeral expenses remains unchanged in FEMA Policy 104-21-0001 (COVID-19-specific policy).
Department of Homeland Security OIG
ICE Spent Funds on Unused Beds, Missed COVID-19 Protocols and Detention Standards while Housing Migrant Families in Hotels
ICE did not adequately justify the need for the sole source contract to house migrant families and spent approximately $17 million for hotel space and services at six hotels that went largely unused between April and June 2021.
Department of Justice
Riverside County Man Found Guilty of Fraud for Misusing COVID-Relief Business Loan on Personal Expenses, Including Luxury Cars
A Riverside County man who purported to own a pothole-repair company was found guilty by a federal jury today of fraud charges for using hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for personal expenses such as luxury cars after he obtained a PPP loan for more than $7 million on behalf of his business.
Department of Justice
California Man Convicted of COVID-19 Relief Fraud
A federal jury convicted a California man today of misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Small Business Administration OIG
Evaluation of SBA’s Disaster Assistance Loan Recommendation Services
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) evaluated the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) procedures to award a contract for data analysis and loan recommendation services for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications and Targeted EIDL Advance applications related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.To increase loan processing capabilities and quickly disburse loans during the pandemic, SBA used an existing contract awarded to RER Solutions and its subcontractor Rocket Loans set aside for small businesses. SBA initially set a contract ceiling of $100 million and...
Department of Justice
Physician Partners of America to Pay $24.5 Million to Settle Allegations of Unnecessary Testing, Improper Remuneration to Physicians and a False Statement in Connection with COVID-19 Relief Funds
Physician Partners of America LLC (PPOA), headquartered in Tampa, Florida, its founder, Rodolfo Gari, and its former chief medical officer, Dr. Abraham Rivera, have agreed to pay $24.5 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by billing federal healthcare programs for unnecessary medical testing and services, paying unlawful remuneration to its physician employees and making a false statement in connection with a loan obtained through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Department of Justice
Stoneham Man Sentenced for Identity Theft and Fraud Related to COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
BOSTON – A Stoneham man was sentenced today for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme to obtain COVID-19-related unemployment assistance using stolen personal information.
Department of Justice
D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Steal More than $31 Million in COVID-19 Funds
WASHINGTON – Elias Eldabbagh, 30, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in federal court today to carrying out a scheme to steal more than $31 million under the CARES Act and laundering the proceeds of his scheme. Eldabbagh succeeded in stealing $2,385,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
Department of Justice
Woman Sentenced to Over Five Years for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
A Texas woman was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for her scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of over $1.9 million in loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Department of Justice
North Providence Man Admits to Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Funds
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A North Providence man who lives and works in Rhode Island today admitted that he filed COVID-relief unemployment applications in at least two other states, collecting more than $20,000 in benefits he was not entitled to receive, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
Department of Justice
Illinois Man Admits Stealing Unemployment Insurance Benefits while Incarcerated
Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection of Facilities’ COVID-19 Pandemic Readiness and Response in Veterans Integrated Service Networks 2, 5, and 6
This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) report provides a focused evaluation of Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) 2, 5, and 6 facilities’ COVID-19 pandemic readiness and response. This evaluation focused on emergency preparedness; supplies, equipment, and infrastructure; staffing; access to care; community living center patient care and operations; facility staff feedback; and VA and VISNs 2, 5, and 6 vaccination efforts.The OIG has aggregated findings on COVID-19 preparedness and responsiveness from routine inspections to ensure...
Department of Justice
Woman Sentenced to Over Five Years for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
A Texas woman was sentenced today to 70 months in prison for her scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of over $1.9 million in loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Department of Justice
North Providence Man Admits to Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Funds
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A North Providence man who lives and works in Rhode Island today admitted that he filed COVID-relief unemployment applications in at least two other states, collecting more than $20,000 in benefits he was not entitled to receive, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
Department of Justice
Illinois Man Admits Stealing Unemployment Insurance Benefits while Incarcerated
Department of Justice
Naturopathic Doctor Pleads Guilty to Fake COVID-19 Immunization and Vaccination Card Scheme
A California-licensed naturopathic doctor pleaded guilty today in the Northern District of California for scheming to sell homeoprophylaxis immunization pellets and for falsifying COVID-19 vaccination cards by making it appear that customers had received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized Moderna vaccine.
Department of Justice
Woman Pleads Guilty for $43.8 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
An Oklahoma woman pleaded guilty today in the Western District of New York for a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of over $43.8 million in COVID-19 relief loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Department of Justice
Naturopathic Doctor Pleads Guilty to Fake COVID-19 Immunization and Vaccination Card Scheme
A California-licensed naturopathic doctor pleaded guilty today in the Northern District of California for scheming to sell homeoprophylaxis immunization pellets and for falsifying COVID-19 vaccination cards by making it appear that customers had received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized Moderna vaccine.
Department of Justice
Woman Pleads Guilty for $43.8 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
An Oklahoma woman pleaded guilty today in the Western District of New York for a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of over $43.8 million in COVID-19 relief loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Department of Justice
Baltimore Man Admits to Fraudulently Obtaining Cares Act Paycheck Protection Plan Loans While on Probation and Pre-Trial Release and Defrauding Businesses of Over $1,000,000
Keon Ball, age 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in relation to multiple identity theft schemes and fraud schemes—including schemes conducted while on probation after a past state fraud conviction and while on pre-trial release in connection with state fraud charges. As part of his plea agreement, Ball will be ordered to pay at least $715,504 in restitution.
Department of Justice
Baltimore Man Admits to Fraudulently Obtaining Cares Act Paycheck Protection Plan Loans While on Probation and Pre-Trial Release and Defrauding Businesses of Over $1,000,000
Keon Ball, age 45, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in relation to multiple identity theft schemes and fraud schemes—including schemes conducted while on probation after a past state fraud conviction and while on pre-trial release in connection with state fraud charges. As part of his plea agreement, Ball will be ordered to pay at least $715,504 in restitution.
Department of Justice
Pair arrested for $4M in CARES Act fraud scheme
Two individuals have been arrested following the return of an indictment alleging conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud