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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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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...
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.
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.
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).
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Missouri Woman Admits $237,000 in Pandemic Frauds
Regina Brand submitted fraudulent applications for rental assistance and Paycheck Protection Program loans.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.