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Department of Justice
Washington, D.C. Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison for Two Separate Fraud Schemes
U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Dion Rashaan Foxworth, age 42, of Washington, D.C., to 51 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for wire fraud related to an investment fraud scheme and bank fraud related to a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan. Judge Chuang also ordered Foxworth to pay restitution of $882,908.66.
Department of Justice
Two Brothers Plead Guilty To COVID Relief Fraud
U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that two brothers, Larry Jordan, 45, of Lancaster, NY, and Sutukh El a/k/a Curtis Jordan a/k/a Hugo Hurt a/k/a Hugo Hermes Hurtington, 41, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud for their participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The charge carries a maximum...
Department of Justice
Social Media Influencer Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for $1.5 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
BOSTON – A Miami woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for fraudulently obtaining over $1 million in pandemic-related loans using the stolen identities of more than 10 individuals and then using those funds for personal expenses, including chartering a private jet and renting a luxury apartment.
Department of Justice
St. Louis Area Siblings Sentenced for Pandemic Fraud
Irvin Coats and Pamela S. Hubbard fraudulently submitted applications that resulted in three loans.
Department of Justice
Union County Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Disaster Benefits Fraud, Business Impersonation Fraud, COVID-19 Loan Fraud, and Treasury Check Fraud
NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for disaster benefits fraud, business impersonation fraud, COVID-19 loan fraud, and Treasury check fraud.
Pandemic Response Accountability Committee
Identity Fraud Victim Redress Processes and Systems
Following up on our previous work which highlights the decentralized nature of identity fraud redress across the federal government, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee commissioned the MITRE Corporation to conduct an independent study and define the elements needs for a whole-of-government approach to identity fraud victim redress. The report proposes a federal redress process that places the victim at the center and requires agencies to assist in a comprehensive manner. Framed as a single enterprise or “one-stop shop,” this process would provide an equitable experience for all...
Department of Justice
Stoughton Man Sentenced for Bank Fraud Scheme Related to COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance
BOSTON – A Stoughton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with a fraudulent scheme to obtain COVID-19-related small business loans from several financial institutions.
Department of Justice
Southern District prosecutes nearly $11 million in COVID fraud as part of national enforcement actions
As part of a coordinated nationwide effort to fight COVID-19 fraud, the Southern District of Georgia has taken action against individuals who illegally obtained nearly $11 million in funds intended to help struggling small businesses during the global pandemic.
Department of Justice
Kunia Woman Arraigned on Scheme to Defraud Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Recipients
HONOLULU – On September 5, 2023, Oseola Vakameilalo, was arraigned in federal court and pled not guilty to all 12 charges in an indictment relating to fraud in connection with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) unemployment insurance program.
Department of the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of the Territory of Guam
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate the Territory of Guam's documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of the State of North Carolina
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate the State of North Carolina's documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of the Native Village of Selawik, Alaska
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate the Native Village of Selawik's documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of the State of West Virginia
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate the State of West Virginia's documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of Bergen County's (NJ) use of Coronavirus Relief Fund Proceeds
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate Bergen County's (PA) documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of Bucks County's (PA) use of Coronavirus Relief Fund Proceeds
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate Bucks County's (PA) documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of the Commonwealth of Pennslyvania's use of Coronavirus Relief Fund Proceeds
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate Pennslyvania's documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of Oklahoma's use of Coronavirus Relief Fund Proceeds
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate Oklahoma's documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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 the Treasury OIG
Desk Review of Dallas County's (TX) use of Coronavirus Relief Fund Proceeds
The objective of this desk review is to evaluate Dallas County's (TX) documentation supporting the uses of its Coronavirus Relief Fund 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.
Mississippi Office of the State Auditor
Mississippi’s Historic Unemployment Fraud
The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) administers Mississippi’s unemployment benefits programs. With the influx of jobless claims and COVID relief aid as a result of the pandemic, total unemployment benefit claims increased from $59.6 million in FY 2019 to $2.1 billion in FY 2020. With this infusion of money came massive fraud and misspending. For example, from FY 2020 to FY 2021, known overpayments increased from $118 million to $474 million. The massive loss of money from Mississippi’s unemployment fund is partially the result of MDES bypassing or altering their own...
Department of Justice
Six Oklahomans Charged with Cares Act Fraud
OKLAHOMA CITY – Earlier this week, a criminal indictment was unsealed charging six Oklahoma residents with fraudulently obtaining nearly $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Department of Justice
Three St. Louis Area Residents Accused of Pandemic Fraud
The indictment alleges two fraudulent schemes that defrauded pandemic assistance programs.
Department of Labor OIG
COVID-19: Employment and Training Grantee Sub-Recipients - New York
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused many of ETA’s job training programs to cease operation. This interrupted participants’ job training, potentially preventing them from completing their training and getting a job in the areas in which they were trained. This series of audits will focus on how effectively ETA ensured workforce development grant funds were used as intended in the State of New York during the pandemic.
Department of Justice
Mercer County Man Admits Soliciting Kickbacks in COVID-19 Testing Kickback Conspiracy
NEWARK, N.J. – A Mercer County, New Jersey, man admitted his role in a kickback conspiracy involving COVID-19 testing.
Department of Justice
Boxing Gym Owner Pleads Guilty to COVID Fraud Scheme
BOSTON – A Lynnfield man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fraudulently obtaining multiple Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act loans, including funds from the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), and unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled for his boxing gym.
Department of Justice
Norfolk Man Charged with Price Gouging N95 Masks in Early Months of COVID-19 Pandemic
BOSTON – A Norfolk, Mass. man has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to price gouge hospitals for scarce N95 filtering facepiece respirators (N95 masks) at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
In fiscal year 2021-22, The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) administered 30 economic development programs through which it allocated $58.0 million in tax credits, awarded $91.3 million in grants and $4.8 million in loans, and authorized local governments to issue $53.4 million in bonds. A portion of these funds were provided through the CARES Act and were used to support the state’s response to the pandemic. Through their biennial financial audit and program evaluation of WEDC, the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Burau found that, among other things, five grants totaling $50,000...
Department of Justice
Former North Shore Pizzeria Owner Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for COVID Fraud
BOSTON – A former North Shore resident was sentenced today in connection with filing fraudulent applications for more than $660,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds and using those funds for personal expenses, including the purchase of an alpaca farm in Vermont.
Department of Justice
Nevada Resident Pleads Guilty To COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
LAS VEGAS – A Nevada woman pleaded guilty Monday to fraudulently seeking over $1 million in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
Department of Justice
2 Central Ohio women charged federally for $2.8 million in covid-relief fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Central Ohio women are charged federally with crimes related to fraudulently receiving more than $2.8 million total in covid-relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Department of Justice
Methuen Man Sentenced for Disaster Fund Fraud Scheme
BOSTON – A Methuen man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and laundering the funds.
Department of Justice
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron Announces that the Maryland United States Attorney’s Office Continues the Fight Against Fraud, Waste and Abuse Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Erek L. Barron, the United States Attorney for Maryland, announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of fraud, waste and abuse relating to pandemic relief enacted by Congress, including fraud involving the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland previously selected the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office to help lead the U.S. Justice...
Department of Justice
Former Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Mainers’ Identities As Part of Unemployment Fraud Scheme
James McAuliffe, 55, pleaded guilty to six counts of wire fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft.
Social Security Administration OIG
Controls over the Social Security Administration’s National 800-number Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Objective: To determine whether the Social Security Administration had and used management controls over the service its 800 number employees provided callers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Justice
Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
A California man pleaded guilty yesterday to fraudulently obtaining $345,108 in COVID-19 pandemic relief loans from a financial institution and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Department of Justice
Former attorney, convicted of stealing from client and defrauding friend, pleads guilty to defrauding taxpayers by falsely claiming COVID program benefits
Tacoma – A disbarred attorney, sentenced last year to 18 months in prison for stealing from a deceased client’s estate and defrauding a friend, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and making false statements for her scheme to illegally claim COVID pandemic benefits, and lie to the government about her income, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.
Election Assistance Commission OIG
Audit of the Help America Vote Act Grants Awarded to the State of Missouri
EAC OIG, through the independent public accounting firm of McBride, Lock & Associates, LLC, audited $27.4 million in funds received by the State of Missouri under the Help America Vote Act. The objectives of the audit were to determine whether the Missouri Office of the Secretary of State: 1) used funds for authorized purposes in accordance with Section 101 and Section 251 of HAVA and other applicable requirements; 2) properly accounted for and controlled property purchased with HAVA payments; and 3) used the funds in a manner consistent with the informational plans provided to EAC. The audit...
District of Columbia Office of the Auditor
Controls Lacking in CARES Act/Coronavirus Relief Fund Spending
EFPR Group, CPA's PLLC, has been engaged by the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor to assess whether the $495 million received by the District of Columbia from the Coronavirus Relief Fund which was established under the CARES Act were spent in compliance with Federal and District of Columbia laws and regulations. As part of the scope of this engagement, the receipt of the $495 million was observed and analyzed to verify that the District of Columbia received the maximum available from Federal legislation.
Department of Justice
Jefferson Parish Woman Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Buyer of Personal Protective Equipment
NEW ORLEANS - CYNTHIA CARONNA, a resident of Jefferson Parish, pleaded guilty on August 22, 2023, to a bill of information for conspiring with her co-defendant, Frank LaBruzzo, and with a resident of the United Kingdom to defraud a business seeking to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Department of Justice
Lubbock Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for $4 Million PPP Fraud
A Lubbock man who defrauded pandemic-era financial programs out nearly $4 million was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison.
Department of Justice
Grand jury indicts local man for submitting false PPP loan application
CINCINNATI – A Cincinnati man is charged with wire fraud as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain a Covid relief loan.
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Ineffective Controls Over COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Leave the Program Susceptible to Waste and Abuse
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) did not always implement effective internal controls to provide oversight of COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. FEMA’s funeral assistance program greatly expanded the universe of reimbursable expenses for deaths related to COVID-19, even beyond those specifically identified as ineligible under established FEMA policy, without establishing guardrails to ensure relief was limited to necessary expenses and serious needs as required by statute.
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
Processing of Recovery Rebate Credit Claims During the 2022 Filing Season
Department of Justice
Justice Department Announces Results of Nationwide COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Action
The Justice Department announced today the results of a coordinated, nationwide enforcement action to combat COVID-19 fraud, which included 718 enforcement actions – including federal criminal charges against 371 defendants – for offenses related to over $836 million in alleged COVID-19 fraud.
Department of Justice
Former Federal Employee Sentenced for Leading $3.5 M Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
A Concord, California, woman was sentenced today to 18 years in prison for her leading role in a conspiracy to defraud at least five states of more than $3.5 million in pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits.
Department of Justice
St. Louis Woman Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Bank and Pandemic Fraud
Nikia A. French recruited people on Instagram who were willing to let French use their bank accounts for a bad check scheme.
Department of Justice
Former attorney, convicted of defrauding clients, now charged with defrauding taxpayers by falsely claiming COVID program benefits
Tacoma – A disbarred attorney, sentenced last year to 18 months in prison for stealing money from a deceased client’s estate and defrauding a friend, is now charged by information with wire fraud and making false statements in connection with a scheme to illegally claim COVID pandemic benefits, and with lying to the government about her income, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman
Department of Justice
Former Louisiana Resident Charged with Federal Cares Act Fraud
NEW ORLEANS – BRIA PETERS, age 38, formerly of New Orleans, LA and now residing in Houston, Texas, was charged on August 18, 2023 in a one-count bill of information with making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Department of Justice
Man Charged with Defrauding Elderly Homeowners and COVID-19 Relief Programs
A Freeman man had his initial appearance today on charges of wire fraud, filing a false tax return, tax evasion, and making false statements to a financial institution.
Department of Justice
Orlando Man Sentenced To More Than Nine Years For COVID-19 Fraud And Illegal Possession Of Firearm
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Brian A. Blake (31, Orlando) to nine years and eight months in federal prison for access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. As part of the sentence, the court also ordered Blake to pay restitution in the amount of $579,074 to victims of the offenses. The court further ordered that Blake forfeit proceeds and instrumentalities of the offenses, including $80,482 in cash located in Blake’s residence, an Aero Precision firearm, and a number of computers and cellphones used to...
Department of Justice
Bakersfield Dentist Pleads Guilty to Stealing $500,000 in COVID-19 Relief Money
Ranjan Rajbanshi, D.D.S., 46, of Bakersfield and Santa Barbara, pleaded guilty today to stealing $500,000 in COVID-19 relief money.
Department of Justice
Nigerian citizen extradited from Germany to face charges over attempt to steal $25 million in U.S. benefits
Seattle – One of two Nigerian citizens residing in Canada, who allegedly defrauded the pandemic unemployment benefit programs in multiple states, will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle this afternoon at 2:00 PM.
Department of Justice
Local Man Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $500,000 in COVID-19 Relief Funds
MIAMI – A federal grand jury charged Emmanuel Bully, Jr., 44, of Miami-Dade County, Florida, with wire fraud. Per the indictment, Bully fraudulently obtained more than $500,000 in
Department of Justice
Franklin Man Pleads Guilty To COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Bank Fraud, and Money-Laundering
NASHVILLE – John Paul Dillon, 40, of Franklin, Tennessee pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to fraud in connection with COVID-19 relief programs, mortgage fraud, and money
Department of Justice
U.S. Postal Service Employee Sentenced to More than 3 Years in Federal Prison in Multi-Million-Dollar PPP Fraud Ring
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Tiffany McFadden, 40, of Brooklyn, New York, and Port St. Lucie, Florida, was sentenced to more than 3 years in federal prison for leading a multi-million-dollar PPP fraud scheme out of South Carolina while working as a U.S. Postal Service employee.
Department of Justice
Hazelwood Man Sentenced to 111 Months in Prison for Schemes Seeking $404,000
Naquan Powers admitted involvement in the fraudulent purchase of vehicles, a credit card scam and fraud involving two pandemic relief programs.
Department of Justice
Acton Man Sentenced to Nearly Three Years in Prison for Using Stolen Identities to Obtain COVID Relief Funds
BOSTON – An Acton was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for conspiring to use stolen identities to fraudulently obtain disaster loan funds from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds.
Department of Justice
Florida Real Estate Broker Agrees To Pay Over $4 Million To Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating To Fraudulent Cares Act Loans
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Real Estate Broker Chad Wade, 41, of Panama City, Florida, along with his companies Ideal Property Holdings, LLC; Grand Panama Resort Properties, LLC; Beach
Department of Justice
Georgia man sentenced to prison for COVID-19 relief fraud two years after being sentenced by the same court for mortgage fraud
Maurice Lawson has been sentenced to federal prison for obtaining nearly a half a million dollars by submitting multiple fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) applications.
Department of Justice
NCDOC Officer Pleads Guilty in COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
RALEIGH, N.C. – Sean Tracy Dillard, 55, pled guilty today pursuant to a criminal information to theft of government funds for fraudulently submitting North Carolina Housing Opportunities
Department of Justice
Missouri Woman Admits $237,000 in Pandemic Frauds
Regina Brand submitted fraudulent applications for rental assistance and Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Department of Justice
Bloomington Woman Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Prison for $7.1 Million Fraud Scheme
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Bloomington woman was sentenced to 90 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4.7 million in restitution for
Department of the Interior OIG
USBR Employee Wrongfully Obtained Unemployment Insurance/Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
We found that a USBR employee wrongfully obtained $28,524 in combined Unemployment Insurance and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
Department of Agriculture OIG
COVID-19—Farmers to Families Food Box Program Administration
In our final report, we assessed the controls Agricultural Marketing Service developed and implemented to ensure awardees fulfilled the obligations of their contracts.
Department of Justice
Metro Atlanta man charged with laundering funds from COVID-19 unemployment relief and submitting fraudulent EIDL loan application
Austin Martin Siampwizi has been arraigned on federal charges of concealment money laundering, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud.
Department of Justice
Three Year Manhunt for an Alleged Fake Doctor Selling an Unproven Coronavirus Cure Ends with Utah Fugitive Behind Bars
Salt Lake City, Utah – A Utah resident and three-year fugitive was arrested in Utah County on federal charges after fleeing from federal law enforcement in 2020.
Department of Justice
San Diego Man Charged with $4 Million Covid-Related Loan Fraud and Money Laundering
SAN DIEGO – Denny Bhakta of San Diego was arraigned in federal court today on additional charges that he fraudulently obtained $4 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans through several entities he managed and controlled. Bhakta was first indicted in December 2021 for defrauding investors in his companies; a grand jury returned a superseding indictment this week that includes additional charges.
Department of Justice
Former Miami-Dade Corrections Sergeant Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud
MIAMI – Arashio Harris, 48, who was a Corrections Sergeant with the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department (“MDCRD”), has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with his
Department of Justice
Luzerne County Woman Pleads Guilty To Preparing And Submitting Numerous False Economic Injury Disaster Loan (Eidl) Applications In Covid-19 Fraud Scheme
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Angela Castillo, age 39, of Freeland, PA, pleaded guilty on August 9
Department of Justice
Rhode Island Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Theft and Misuse of COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance
BOSTON – A Rhode Island man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and misuse COVID-19-related unemployment assistance.
Department of Justice
Wood County Man Sentenced for Unlawfully Obtaining Unemployment and COVID-19 Benefits
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Daniel Satow, 33, of Davisville, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay $21,238 in restitution for unlawfully obtaining unemployment
Department of Justice
New York Man Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1 Million
NEWARK, N.J. B A New York man was arrested this morning on charges he fraudulently obtained more than $1 million in a COVID-19 scheme.
Department of Justice
Former Chief Executive Officer of Strong City Baltimore Facing Federal Indictment for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.4 Million in COVID-19 Cares Act Loans
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Reginald Davis, age 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, for wire fraud and money laundering relating to the submission of fraudulent COVID-19 CARES Act loan applications. Davis is the former Chief Executive Officer of Strong City Baltimore (“SCB”), established in Maryland in 2015 as a non-profit organization serving individuals, community associations, institutions, and businesses in Baltimore. The indictment was returned on August 3, 2023, and unsealed today upon the arrest of the defendant.
Department of Justice
South Carolina Woman and Florida Woman Sentenced in COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA — Nariman Mahmoud Masoud, 35, of Florence, South Carolina, and Susan Masoud, 34, of Tampa, Florida, were sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to unemployment insurance benefits.
Department of Justice
Georgia woman sentenced to nearly four years in prison for multi-million dollar COVID-19 relief fraud
Lakisha Swope has been sentenced to federal prison for obtaining more than $3.6 million by submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) applications.
Department of Justice
Charleston Man Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Aalik Wilsher, 26, of Charleston, was sentenced today to three years of federal probation and ordered to pay $20,459.33 in restitution for receipt of stolen
Department of Justice
Owner of Area Restaurant Sentenced to the Bureau of Prisons and Ordered to Pay Restitution for Crimes Related to COVID-Relief Funds
PEORIA, Ill. – A Saint Augustine, Illinois man, Michael Lewis Patch, 66, of the 100 block of West Third Street, has been sentenced to 90 days in the Bureau of Prisons, five years of Supervised Release, and to pay more than $64,000 in restitution.
Department of Justice
Two New York Men Admit Fentanyl Distribution
NEWARK, NJ. – Two New York men today admitted their roles in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy, and one of the men also admitted conspiring with seven separately charged individuals to defraud multiple states to obtain COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
Department of Justice
Myrtle Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax Fraud
FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA —Troy Benjamin Bittner, 54, of Myrtle Beach, has pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and filing a false tax return.
Department of Justice
Former local bakery owner sentenced to 6 years in prison for stealing identity of deceased baby & committing $1.5M in pandemic relief fraud
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Columbus woman was sentenced in federal court today to 72 months in prison for committing 16 counts of wire and passport fraud. The defendant stole the identity of a baby who died as an infant and used the infant’s identity to obtain a passport, a student pilot license, a job as a flight attendant, and pandemic relief loans.
Department of Justice
Ohio Woman Sentenced to 6 Months in Federal Prison After Filing False CARES Act Claims to Steal More than $200,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Benefits
INDIANAPOLIS- Brianna Yerkey, 21, of Struthers, Ohio, has been sentenced to 6 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. According to court documents, beginning in
Department of Justice
Commerce Township Man Pleads Guilty in Pandemic Loan Fraud Scheme
DETROIT - A Commerce Township resident pleaded guilty today to orchestrating a fraud scheme involving approximately $851,000 in loans intended to help small businesses stay afloat during the
Department of Justice
Two Charged with Defrauding Buyer of Personal Protective Equipment During Height of Covid-19 Pandemic
NEW ORLEANS – On August 2, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the charging of FRANK LABRUZZO and CYNTHIA CARONNA for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 371.
Department of Justice
Maryland Doctor Convicted After Three-Week Trial for COVID-19 Healthcare Fraud Scheme
A federal jury in Maryland convicted Ron Elfenbein, M.D., age 49, of Arnold, Maryland, for five counts of healthcare fraud for submitting over $15 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare and other insurers for patients who received COVID-19 tests at sites operated by the defendant. Elfenbein is the first doctor convicted at trial by the Justice Department for health care fraud in billing for office visits in connection with patients seeking COVID-19 tests.
Department of Justice
Baltimore County Businessman Facing Federal Charges for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.3 Million in COVID-19 CARES Act Loans
A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging David Epstein, age 45, of Owings Mills, Maryland, for wire fraud and money laundering, relating to the submission of fraudulent COVID-19 CARES Act loan applications. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was a federal law enacted in March 2020 to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The indictment was filed on June 24, 2023, and unsealed today at Epstein’s initial appearance.
Department of Justice
Dudley Man Sentenced to Prison for Theft and Misuse of COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance
BOSTON – A Dudley man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and misuse COVID-19-related unemployment assistance.
Department of Justice
St. Louis County Man Admits $149,900 Pandemic Loan Fraud
Cecil Jones submitted a fraudulent online application with a photograph of a counterfeit Missouri driver’s license.
Department of Justice
Chalmette Man Pleads Guilty to Cares Act Fraud
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA -- U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JULIO A. GONZALEZ, JR. of Chalmette, LA, has plead guilty on July 26, 2023 to one-count of making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001.
Election Assistance Commission OIG
Audit of the Help America Vote Act Grants Awarded to the State of Alaska
EAC OIG, through the independent public accounting firm of McBride, Lock & Associates, LLC, audited $15.2 million in funds received by the State of Alaska under the Help America Vote Act. The objectives of the audit were to determine whether the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska: 1) used funds for authorized purposes in accordance with Section 101 and Section 251 of HAVA and other applicable requirements; 2) properly accounted for and controlled property purchased with HAVA payments; and 3) used the funds in a manner consistent with the informational plans provided to EAC. The audit...
Council of Inspectors General on Financial Oversight
Audit of the Administration of Grant Payments Received under the Help America Vote Act – Tennessee
The audit will cover the expenditures and obligations of HAVA Requirement Payments, Election Security grants, and the CARES Act grants from the date of award through March 31, 2023. The objectives are to determine 1) if the State used funds for authorized purposed in accordance with requirements; 2) properly accounted for and controlled property purchased with HAVA payments; and (3) used the funds in a manner consistent with the informational plans provided to EAC.