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Department of Justice
Bakersfield Man Sentenced for Stealing over $160,000 in COVID-19 Relief Money
Jaswinder Bhangoo, 51, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for stealing $163,750 in COVID-19 relief money.
Department of Justice
St. George Businessman Sentenced to 29 Months’ Imprisonment for Fraudulently Receiving Over $685,000 in COVID-Relief Funds
ST.GEORGE, Utah – Bradford, Leland Fishback, 40, of St. George was sentenced today to over two years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release and ordered by the court to pay $685,845.05 in restitution. The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert J. Shelby, comes after Fishback admitted to fraudulently obtaining government funds from programs intended to help employees and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Justice
Members of Brooklyn-Based Hyena Crips Gang Charged with Multiple Murders and Racketeering Activity Spanning Nearly a Decade
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, a superseding indictment was partially unsealed variously charging seven members of the Brooklyn-based Hyena Crips gang with racketeering and using a firearm in the course of a murder in connection with three murders, murder conspiracies, robberies and identity-fraud schemes dating back to 2012.
Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery
Audit of National Security Loan Program Recipient – MapLarge, Inc.
Audit of National Security Loan Program Recipient – MapLarge, Inc.
Department of Justice
Kabbage Agrees to Pay up to $120 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Defrauded the Paycheck Protection Program
BOSTON – Bankrupt lender Kabbage, Inc. d/b/a KServicing, has agreed to resolve allegations that it knowingly submitted thousands of false claims for loan forgiveness, loan guarantees, and processing fees to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), in violation of the False Claims Act (FCA).
Department of Justice
Wheatland Man Pleads Guilty to Submitting False Claims Against the United States in Relation to COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
Jason Toland, 43, of Wheatland, pleaded guilty today to one count of submitting false claims against the United States related to COVID-19 pandemic tax credits, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
Department of Justice
Kingdom City Business Owner Sentenced for $673,000 CARES Act Fraud
A Kingdom City, Mo., business owner was sentenced in federal court today for fraudulently receiving more than $673,000 in loans for several businesses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Department of Justice
Middlesex County Woman Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Stealing COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits
TRENTON, N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, woman was sentenced to 24 months in prison for conspiring to illegally obtain over $400,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
Department of Justice
Part-Time Actor from Orange County Found Guilty of Soliciting Investors for Shell Companies that Peddled Bogus COVID Cure and Treatment
An Orange County man and part-time actor was found guilty by a jury today of soliciting investors in companies that marketed what in fact were a bogus cure and treatment for COVID-19 during the pandemic’s early days.
Department of Justice
Plymouth Woman Arrested for Paycheck Protection Program Fraud
BOSTON – A Plymouth woman has been arrested and charged with wire fraud for submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of herself and her father.
Department of Justice
Man Who Used COVID-19 Relief Funds to Purchase a Personal RV Sentenced to Prison
Department of Justice
Illinois Businessman Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Fraud and Tax Evasion
JOSEPH J. CIPOLLA JR. was ordered to pay $2 million in restitution to the IRS, State of Illinois, U.S. Small Business Administration, and other entities and individuals.
Department of Justice
Tampa Man Guilty Of Wire Fraud, Money Laundering In Misuse Of $500,000 COVID-19 Small Business Loan
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Barrett Purvis (54, Tampa) guilty of wire fraud and money laundering. Purvis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for the money laundering offense.
Department of Justice
Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding COVID-19 Relief Programs and Commercial Equipment Lenders
A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act loan programs and to his role in a years-long scheme to defraud commercial equipment financing companies.
Department of Justice
Two Individuals Arrested for Defrauding Canadian Company that Sought to Purchase Protective Surgical Masks at Outset of Covid-19 Pandemic
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Jonathan Cannon and Julie Dotton with wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud a company seeking to purchase personal protective equipment (“PPE”) at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pandemic Response Accountability Committee
A Review of Pandemic Relief Funding and How It Was Used In Six U.S. Communities: Springfield, Massachusetts
To learn how communities across the nation responded to the pandemic, we initiated a multi-part review of six communities—two cities, two rural counties, and two Tribal reservations. This report is the first community-specific report and focuses on our work in Springfield, Massachusetts, where we previously identified that recipients, including city government, small businesses, and individuals, received almost $1.88 billion from 52 pandemic relief programs and subprograms. This report provides a closer look at nine pandemic programs and subprograms provided to Springfield by eight federal...
Department of Justice
Chicago Woman Sentenced to Prison for Participating in $16 Million Covid-Relief Fraud
“Our office is committed to rooting out abuse of the relief programs provided by the CARES Act," said Acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual.
Department of Justice
Wheeling Man Gets 13 Years for COVID Fraud, Drug Trafficking
Anton Demetrius Matthews, age 40, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for wire fraud, cocaine trafficking, and a supervised release violation. According to United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld, Matthews obtained nearly $50,000 in CARES Act loans after misrepresenting his income and occupation while he was incarcerated.
Department of Justice
Atlantic County Resident Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Laundering Proceeds of COVID-19 Small Business Relief Program Fraud
CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man was sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering the proceeds of fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Department of Justice
Middlesex County Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Stealing COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits
NEWARK N.J. – A Middlesex County, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for conspiring to illegally obtain over $400,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
Department of Justice
Central Florida man sentenced to prison for COVID-19 relief fraud, creating fictitious payroll that included his children
On April 25, a central Florida man was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans and grants under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Relief Program (EIDL); after previously pleading guilty to wire fraud.
Department of Justice
Four Individuals Convicted in Wide-Ranging, Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme
PROVIDENCE, RI – Four Florida residents have been convicted in federal court in Providence, Rhode Island, for their individual roles in a wide-ranging conspiracy to use stolen personal identifying information (PII) of unsuspecting individuals to fraudulently obtain more than $4.8 million by defrauding banks and fraudulently obtaining benefits and payments from federal and state agencies in multiple jurisdictions, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
Department of Justice
Maryland Resident Sentenced for Preparing and Submitting Fraudulent Applications for Cares Act Financial Assistance
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that SHANIQUA PAGE WILSON (“WILSON”), age 33, a resident of Laurel, Maryland, was sentenced on April 24, 2024, by United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to four years of probation after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343. The charges stem from WILSON’s role in preparing and filing false applications for loans related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Judge Milazzo also ordered WILSON to pay $104,160...
Department of Justice
Former Atlantic City Housing Authority Coordinator Charged with Fraud in Connection With COVID-19 Relief Funds
CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man was arrested today for fraudulent acts he committed in connection with COVID-19 relief funds.
Department of Justice
Cincinnati man allegedly scammed dozens of victims out of more than $2 million as part of online romance fraud conspiracy
CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has indicted Richard Opoku Agyemang, 40, of Cincinnati, in connection with a romance-fraud conspiracy allegedly involving more than $2 million in loss to dozens of victims.
Department of Justice
Clovis Businessman Sentenced to Prison for $1.4 Million COVID-19 Relief Money Theft
Ruben Mireles, 48, of Clovis, was sentenced today to one year in prison for stealing $1.4 million in COVID-19 relief money.
Department of Justice
Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Involving Small Business Administration Disaster Funds
BOSTON – A Florida man pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston to conspiring to use stolen identities to fraudulently obtain disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and to launder the funds.
Department of Justice
Mount Vernon Mother And Daughter Sentenced To Prison For $1.7 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ALICIA AYERS and ANDREA AYERS were sentenced today to two years in prison followed by six months of home confinement and 42 months in prison, respectively, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”), resulting in a loss to the SBA of approximately $1.7 million.
Department of Justice
South Carolina Construction Company and Its Owner Settle Matter Alleging Receipt of Improper CARES Act Loans
NEWARK, N.J. – A construction company based in South Carolina and its owner entered into a settlement agreement with the United States resolving allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by taking two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to which the company was not entitled.
Department of Justice
Laboratory Owners Charged in $36M COVID-19 Testing Fraud Scheme
An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Florida charging three men for their alleged roles in an approximately $36 million health care fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering scheme that involved submitting false and fraudulent claims for COVID-19 testing to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program.
Department of Justice
Laboratory Owners Charged in $36M COVID-19 Testing Fraud Scheme
An indictment was unsealed today in the Southern District of Florida charging three men for their alleged roles in an approximately $36 million health care fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering scheme that involved submitting false and fraudulent claims for COVID-19 testing to health care benefit programs, including Medicare and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Uninsured Program.
Department of Justice
Inmate and Corrections Officer Sentenced in Bribery Scheme; Same Inmate Sentenced in Related Covid-Fraud Scheme
SAN DIEGO – Shawn Brown, an inmate at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, was sentenced in federal court today to 30 months in prison for bribing a state corrections officer to smuggle contraband into prison, including dental molds and an expensive bejeweled “grill” for the inmate’s mouth.
Small Business Administration OIG
SBA’s Handling of Returned COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Funds and De-obligations of Approved Loans
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is issuing this management advisory to present the results of our review of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) processing of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds that were returned to the agency by borrowers, banks, or other sources.We found significant delays in the decision process related to returned COVID-19 EIDL funds. The majority of these COVID-19 EIDLs were eventually made available to small business owners, including the original borrowers. However, SBA canceled $3.1 billion of these loans...
Department of Justice
Deepwater Man Sentenced for $500,000 CARES Act Fraud
A Deepwater, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for fraudulently obtaining more than $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Department of Justice
Florida attorney sentenced to federal prison for role in COVID-19 fraud scheme
A Florida attorney has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for participating in a scheme to illegally obtain funding from a federal COVID-19 small business relief program.
Department of Justice
Three Individuals Indicted in Multistate COVID-19 Relief Program Fraud Scheme
CAMDEN, N.J. – Three individuals were indicted for their roles in fraudulently obtaining approximately $5 million of federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and for laundering the loan proceeds.
Department of Justice
Two New York Men Admit Participating in More Than $25 Million COVID-19 Fraud, other Offenses, including Fentanyl Distribution
NEWARK, NJ. – Two New York men today admitted conspiring with others to defraud dozens of states to obtain millions of dollars of COVID-19 unemployment benefits; one of the defendants also admitted to fentanyl conspiracy and distribution and conspiring to defraud the IRS of tax credit benefits.
Department of Justice
Long Island Businessman Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Covid-19 Loan Fraud
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Donald Finley, a Locust Valley businessman and owner of the now-defunct Jekyll & Hyde theme restaurant in Manhattan and the Bayville Adventure Park on Long Island, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 24 months in prison. Finley pleaded guilty in May 2023 to disaster relief fraud and wire fraud in connection with his receipt of $3.2 million dollars in small business loans under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.
Department of Justice
St. Louis County Woman Admits $100,000 Pandemic Loan Fraud
Camille Foster admitted obtaining five Paycheck Protection Program loans for a total of $104,163.
Pandemic Response Accountability Committee
Why Unemployment Insurance Fraud Surged During the Pandemic
UI was already a strained system, but the pandemic exacerbated existing challenges and created new ones which lead to massive fraud. We sampled 45 cases and learned about the schemes and methods fraudsters used. Find out what can be done to improve UI for the future. Read our report to find out more.
Department of Justice
Three Former St. Louis Area Residents Accused of Obtaining 11 Fraudulent Pandemic Loans
Brianna Bell-Maple, Jemyla Bell, and Leiah Vaughn have been accused of fraudulently obtaining $229,000 via 11 pandemic loans in 2021.
Department of Justice
Coffee County man sentenced to federal prison for illegally obtaining COVID-19 pandemic relief funds
A Coffee County man was sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay more than $1.3 million in restitution for fraudulently obtaining funds intended to help businesses struggling financially during the pandemic.
Department of Justice
Los Angeles Woman Pleads Guilty to $2.2 Million COVID Loan Scheme and to Falsely Seeking $1.3 Million in Pandemic Tax Credits
A woman from the Mid-City area of Los Angeles pleaded guilty today to fraudulently obtaining more than $2 million in COVID-19 government loans and to submitting false claims in an unsuccessful effort to secure from the IRS nearly $1.3 million in pandemic-related tax credits.
Department of Justice
Plymouth Man Arrested for Paycheck Protection Program Fraud
BOSTON – A Plymouth man has been arrested and charged with wire fraud in connection with fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of business entities he owned and controlled.
Department of Justice
Missouri Woman Admits Attempting $1.6 Million Pandemic Loan Fraud
Dearika Binion submitted five false loan applications seeking a total of $1.6 million but was successful in obtaining two loans totaling $75,600.
Department of Justice
Owner of Boston Pizzeria Chain Charged With Defrauding U.S. Small Business Administration
BOSTON – The owner of Stash’s Pizza, who is currently facing alleged federal forced labor charges, has been indicted by a grand jury in Boston for allegedly submitting false information to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to obtain a loan on behalf of a business he no longer owned.
Department of Justice
Brockton Man Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $1.5 Million in COVID-Relief Funds
BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for a scheme to submit false applications to obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) funds through the Small Business Administration (SBA) that were made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Department of Justice
Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft and Misappropriation of COVID-19 Funds
A Louisiana woman pleaded guilty today to theft of public money in connection with a scheme to misappropriate over $780,000 from the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Department of Justice
COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force Releases 2024 Report
The Justice Department’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force (CFETF) today released its 2024 report detailing the efforts of the task force and its member agencies in response to widespread fraud involving many COVID-19 relief programs targeted by fraudsters and other criminals who sought to exploit the government’s relief efforts for their personal gain.
Department of Justice
Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force 2024 Report
Since its inception in May 2021, members of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force (CFETF) have used a full range of tools to hold accountable fraudsters and other criminals who sought to exploit the government’s pandemic response for their personal gain. This work has resulted in:
Department of Justice
Defendant who admitted to filing thousands of COVID-relief applications sentenced to 6 years in prison
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man who estimated he filed more than 3,000 fraudulent COVID-relief applications was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 72 months in prison.
Department of Justice
Former Marine Corps Reservist Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Stealing, Forging and Distributing Hundreds of Fraudulent COVID-19 Vaccination Cards During the Pandemic
“At the height of the COVID pandemic, Liu and Rodriguez brazenly fabricated vaccine cards and sold them for profit, thereby putting the safety of others at risk during this deadly health crisis” stated United States Attorney Peace. “This prosecution demonstrates our Office’s ongoing commitment to holding accountable those who engaged in COVID-19 fraud. These prison sentences should deter other lawbreakers who put their own interests above public health.”
Department of Justice
Medina and Cleveland Men Charged with Fraudulently Obtaining $4.2 Million in Covid Relief Funds
A federal grand jury in Cleveland returned a 13-count indictment charging two individuals for their alleged roles in a scheme to fraudulently obtain approximately $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Joseph Oloyede, 61, of Medina, Ohio and Edward Oluwasanmi, 61, of Willoughby, Ohio are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering offenses.
Department of Justice
Nevada Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Covid Relief Funds
A Nevada man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to federal prison today for stealing more than $163,000 in Covid relief program funds while on supervised release for two separate state criminal convictions
Department of Justice
COVID-19 Testing Fraudster Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison
An Irving man was sentenced today to seven years in prison for his role in a $7 million COVID-19 testing fraud.
Department of Justice
Bergen County Tax Preparer Charged in COVID-19 Employment Tax Credit Scheme
NEWARK N.J. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Bergen County, New Jersey, tax preparer with fraudulently seeking more than $150 million from the IRS by filing more than 1,600 false tax returns for himself and his clients that claimed COVID-19-related employment tax credits.
Department of Justice
Jefferson City Man Pleads Guilty to $12 Million Bank Fraud Scheme
A Jefferson City, Mo. man has pleaded guilty in federal court to a $12.4 million bank fraud scheme that included fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for four businesses.
Department of Justice
Coventry Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining COVID-19 Relief Funds
JOHN MATAVA, 60, of Coventry, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for offenses related to his receipt of COVID-19 relief funds.
Department of Justice
Man Sentenced for Wire Fraud and Received Sentence Enhancement for Lying to the Court
Tulsa, Oklahoma – Today, U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Malcolm Andre Jones, 32, of Broken Arrow, to 27 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release for Wire Fraud. Judge Frizzell further ordered Jones to pay $20,665 in restitution.
Department of Justice
Utah Residents Accused of Running a COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme Face Federal Charges
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Three Tooele County residents accused of running a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud ring will appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge today following a federal indictment. The indictment, returned by a grand jury on Feb. 28, 2024, includes charges of wire fraud and aiding and abetting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Department of Justice
Haverhill Man Arrested and Charged With Filing Fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Claim
BOSTON – A Haverhill man was arrested and charged today in connection with a Massachusetts Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claim he filed in 2020 for a man who was living in Brazil and who has since been charged with migrant smuggling, among other offenses.
Pandemic Response Accountability Committee
Pandemic Relief Experiences: A Focus on Six Communities
The PRAC along with 10 of our member Offices of Inspectors General conducted this second phase of our review in order to provide insights on the experiences of the two cities, two rural counties, and two Tribal reservations that, during the first part of our review, received a combined $2.65 billion in pandemic relief funding across 89 pandemic programs and subprograms. We found that the six communities shared similar experiences even though their populations, demographics, locations, and contexts were unique. Specifically, we identified four themes which provide valuable insights to...
Department of Justice
Florida Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Fraudulently Obtaining more than $1.5 Million in Unemployment Benefits and EIDL Loans
NEWARK, N.J. – A Florida man was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for illegally obtaining more than $1.5 million in government benefits.
Department of Commerce OIG
Independent Program Evaluation of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Pandemic Relief Program
For the independent program evaluation of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Pandemic Relief Program, the evaluation objective was to determine whether NIST grantees and subrecipients accounted for and expended pandemic relief funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and subsequent funding authorizations in accordance with federal laws and regulations. We contracted with the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), an independent firm, to perform this evaluation. Our office oversaw the evaluation’s progress to ensure that IDA performed it in...
Department of Education OIG
Illinois’ Oversight of Local Educational Agency ARP ESSER Plans and Spending
The objectives of the audit were to determine whether the Illinois State Board of Education (Illinois) had an adequate oversight process in place to ensure that (1) local educational agencies’ (LEA) American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) plans met applicable requirements and (2) LEAs use ARP ESSER funds in accordance with applicable requirements and their approved LEA ARP ESSER plans.We found that Illinois generally had adequate processes to ensure that LEA ARP ESSER plans met applicable requirements. However, it did not communicate accurate...
Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Summary Report: Evaluation of Breast Cancer Surveillance in Veterans Health Administration Facilities
This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program report evaluates notification and surveillance for patients with mammogram results requiring action during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspections involved interviews with key staff and evaluations of clinical processes. The OIG reviewed providers’ notification of mammogram results requiring action to patients within VHA’s defined time frame and patients’ completion of the recommended actions.The OIG issued no recommendations for improvement.
Department of Justice
Laboratory Owner Pleads Guilty to $30M Medicare Fraud Scheme
A Florida man pleaded guilty today to his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by billing for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits and genetic tests that were ineligible for reimbursement and procured by paying illegal kickbacks and bribes.
Department of Justice
Parker Man Indicted for Economic Injury and Disaster Loan and Payroll Protection Program Fraud Scheme
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Tarek Kassem, 63, of Parker, Colorado, was indicted by a federal grand jury for wire fraud and money laundering.
Small Business Administration OIG
SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund Program Award Practices
This SBA OIG pandemic oversight report reviewed the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund application review and approval process. The objective of this review was to determine whether the controls SBA implemented to award RRF program funds in accordance with the Act and other applicable guidance were effective. SBA developed an implementation plan including a risk framework that was intended to reduce the risk of making improper payments and awarding Restaurant Revitalization Funds (RRF) to ineligible recipients. However, the plan did not include all program...
Department of Justice
Utah County Businessman Accused of Scamming $1.8M in COVID-19 Relief Funds is Arrested and Charged Federally
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah County businessman was arrested today after he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City on March 20, 2024, for wire fraud. Robert Blake Molling, 41, of Lehi, Utah, is accused of fraudulently obtaining over $1.8 million in federal government disaster relief funds.
Department of Justice
Las Vegas Resident Sentenced To Prison For COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Judge James C. Mahan to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for fraudulently seeking over $1 million in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
Department of Justice
Businesswoman Pleads Guilty to Fabricating Millions in Business Income to Obtain Pandemic Relief
BOSTON – A Massachusetts businesswoman pleaded guilty today to submitting fraudulent loan applications seeking COVID-19 relief.
Department of Justice
Superseding Indictment Adds New Charges for Viva Grocery Store Owner and Adds New Defendants in Fraud Conspiracy
A federal grand jury returned a 58-count superseding indictment Thursday adding new charges for Shahrir “Sean” Loloee, 53, of Granite Bay, and charging Sacramento residents Mirwais Shams, 36, and Ahmad “Shah” Shams, 29, for their participation in the fraud conspiracy.
Department of Justice
Cameroonian National Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for a Business Email Compromise Fraud Scheme
U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Njuh Valentine Fombe, a/k/a “Valentine”, age 37, a Cameroonian citizen, formerly residing in Beltsville, Maryland, today to 12 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracies to commit wire fraud and money laundering, and for aggravated identity theft, in connection with a business email compromise fraud scheme with intended losses of more than $2 million. Based on court documents and evidence presented during Fombe’s sentencing, the Court also found that Fombe engaged in a pandemic-related unemployment...
Department of Justice
Lake County Woman Arrested For Covid-19 Fraud
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Nicole Harding (38, Clermont) on an indictment charging her with one count of wire fraud. If convicted, Harding faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Department of Justice
Laplace Resident Sentenced to Twelve Months for Preparing and Submitting Fraudulent Applications for Cares Act Financial Assistance and Post-Hurricane Ida Disaster Assistance
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that LYNN SCHOFIELD, age 60, a resident of LaPlace, La., was sentenced on March 19, 2024 by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter to twelve (12) months in prison, with six (6) months to be spent in home detention, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 1343. Judge Vitter also sentenced SCHOFIELD to three (3) years of supervised release and ordered her to repay $282,650 in restitution to the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). SCHOFIELD...
Department of Justice
South Florida Resident Charged With Receiving Millions From Filing Fraudulent COVID-19 Testing Reimbursement Claims
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Willie F. Murray, Jr. (55, West Park, FL) with six counts of wire fraud and three counts of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Murray faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count followed by a consecutive two years of imprisonment for each aggravated identity theft count. The indictment also notifies Murray that the United States intends to forfeit $5,671,611.74 in U.S. currency, $1,578,925.56 from a bank account, and seven real properties located in...
Department of Justice
Toledo Area Man Sentenced to 94 Months in Prison for Covid Fraud
Terrence L. Pounds, 47, of Holland, Ohio was sentenced to 94 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela Barker after earlier pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering. He was also ordered to pay $4,239,940.43 to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and serve 3 years of supervised release.
Department of Justice
Former New York City Transit Worker and Former New York State Court Officer Sentenced to 18 Months' Imprisonment for COVID-19 Loan Fraud
Abuse of public benefits programs, particularly shameful when those defrauding the government are public servants, will not be tolerated and not forgotten with the passage of time from the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “The defendants’ theft of relief money, despite holding jobs with good salaries and benefits, so they could purchase real estate, cryptocurrency and pay off credit card bills with the stolen funds, is deserving of jail sentences. This Office and our agency partners will continue working to bring to justice those fraudsters who take...
Department of Justice
Atlanta man sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 small-business relief funding
An Atlanta man who provided phony documentation to receive small business pandemic relief payments has been sentenced to prison and ordered to repay the funding.
Department of Justice
Jury Convicts Riverview Man For COVID Relief Fraud
Tampa, FL –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Alexander Alli (39, Riverview) guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. Alli faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 10, 2024. Alli was indicted on January 18, 2023.
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration
The IRS Continues to Reduce Backlog Inventories in the Tax Processing Centers
Department of Justice
Long Island Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sprawling COVID-19 Loan Fraud
“This defendant used fraud and deceit on an extraordinary scale to exploit government programs designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat during an unprecedented public health crisis,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message to all those who saw the public response to the COVID-19 pandemic as little more than a get-rich-quick scheme: this Office will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
Department of Justice
Stoughton Man Pleads Guilty to Brank and Wire Fraud Scheme Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
BOSTON – A Stoughton pleaded guilty yesterday to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19-related small business loans from several financial institutions.
Department of Justice
California Man Charged with Federal Cares Act Fraud
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that NIPUN DESAI, formerly of Hammond, La., but now a California resident, age 55, was charged on March 8, 2024, with making false statements related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).