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Paycheck Protection Program

Former Congressional Candidate From Mount Vernon Nabbed On Fraud Charges, Feds Say Former Congressional Candidate From Mount Vernon Nabbed On Fraud Charges, Feds Say
Former Congressional Candidate From Mount Vernon Nabbed On Fraud Charges, Feds Say A former congressional candidate from Westchester who held several leadership positions in county and city government has been convicted of federal fraud charges, officials announced.  Mount Vernon resident Derickson Lawrence, age 67, was convicted of fraud charges after defrauding his payroll company's client and a COVID-19 relief program, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia announced on Friday, March 22.  According to federal officials, Lawrence, who unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat to represent New York's 16th Congressional District in 2…
COVID-19: Ex-Transit Worker From Babylon Sentenced For $770K Loan Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Ex-Transit Worker From Babylon Sentenced For $770K Loan Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Ex-Transit Worker From Babylon Sentenced For $770K Loan Fraud Scheme Two former government employees from Long Island will spend more than a year in federal lockup for defrauding loan programs meant to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Arthur Cornwall, age 43, of Babylon, and Sean Williams, age 42, of Valley Stream, were each sentenced to 18 months in prison in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, March 20, after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Prosecutors said Cornwall, a former signal maintainer with the New York City Transit Authority, and Williams, a former New York State Court officer, received nearly $770,000 in small business loan…
Leesburg Army Reservist Used COVID Scam To Pay Swindlers Overseas: Feds Leesburg Army Reservist Used COVID Scam To Pay Swindlers Overseas: Feds
Leesburg Army Reservist Used COVID Scam To Pay Swindlers Overseas: Feds A Virginia Army reservist was apparently no better than the people he thought he was fooling. Russell Laraway, 56, of Leesburg, admitted he fraudulently claimed more than $400,000 in a COVID relief fund scheme, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Jessica D. Aber said. Being busted by the feds ultimately may have saved Laraway, though, who allegedly gave some of his hard-earned cash to foreign entities "in scams of which he was a victim," Aber's office said. According to court documents, Laraway incorporated two business entities that he purported to operate out of …
Founder Of LGBTQ+ Non-Profit In DC Charged For Fraud After 'Unexpected Return' To US: Feds Founder Of LGBTQ+ Non-Profit In DC Charged For Fraud After 'Unexpected Return' To US: Feds
Founder Of LGBTQ+ Non-Profit In DC Charged For Fraud After 'Unexpected Return' To US: Feds The trailblazing founder of Casa Ruby, a DC-based non-profit that provided services to the LGBTQ+ community is facing charges for alleged fraud and money laundering, according to prosecutors. Ruby Corado, 53, made her initial court appearance in DC on Wednesday to face charges for allegedly defrauding Paycheck Protection and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs, and money laundering after fleeing the country, authorities announced. Specifically, Corado is accused of diverting at least $150,000 of $1.3 million in taxpayer-backed emergency relief funds, intended for the organi…
Former Social Media Influencer In MD Gets Prison Time For $1.2M COVID Scheme Former Social Media Influencer In MD Gets Prison Time For $1.2M COVID Scheme
Former Social Media Influencer In MD Gets Prison Time For $1.2M COVID Scheme A former social media influencer from Maryland is heading to federal prison for his role in a $1.2 million COVID scheme involving wire fraud and money laundering. Denish Sahadevan, aka “Danny Devan,” 32, of Potomac, Maryland, was sentenced on Tuesday, Jan. 9 to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering, authorities said. ‘Danny Devan’ gained a TikTok following for his financial advice regarding stocks and cryptocurrency: @.dannydevvan ♬ original sound - Stocks • Crypto • Money The …
COVID-19: Albany Restaurateur Admits To $163K Pandemic Relief Fraud COVID-19: Albany Restaurateur Admits To $163K Pandemic Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Albany Restaurateur Admits To $163K Pandemic Relief Fraud A former restaurant owner in the region raked in six figures by defrauding a relief program meant to help businesses impacted by COVID-19. Scott Solomon, age 37, of Albany, pleaded guilty to two counts of bank fraud in Albany federal court on Monday, Dec. 11. According to prosecutors, he admitted to applying for and obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans in 2020 for two Saratoga Springs restaurants that he formerly operated. PPP loans were issued by financial institutions in 2020 and 2021 and guaranteed by the US Small Business Administration. Funds were meant to help businesses…
$2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole $2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole
$2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole UPDATE: A scammer from Sussex County who fraudulently collected more than $2 million in federal funds by identifying people who'd been dead for more than a decade as business partners must spend the next three years in federal prison. John Jhong, 54, of Sparta, actually submitted bogus applications for more than $15 million in federal pandemic aid earmarked to help struggling companies during COVID-19, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Jhong "turned these vital relief programs into his personal ATM," spending the more than $2 million he illegally collected on personal expenses, the U.…
COVID-19 $558K Scam: Saratoga County Couple Admits Defrauding Relief Programs With Nightclub COVID-19 $558K Scam: Saratoga County Couple Admits Defrauding Relief Programs With Nightclub
Covid-19 $558K Scam: Saratoga County Couple Admits Defrauding Relief Programs With Nightclub A husband and wife duo from the region accused of raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars by defrauding COVID-19 relief programs through their former nightclub business has pleaded guilty. Saratoga County residents Deborah Budhraj, age 52, and Adesh Budhraj, age 53, both of Ballston Lake, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and wire fraud charges in federal court in Albany on Wednesday, July 19. The couple formerly owned the Tropics Restaurant & Bar, located in Schenectady on South Brandywine Avenue. According to prosecutors, they agreed to sell the business to another couple in February 2…
$9.5 Million Fraud: Glen Cove Man Admits Using Fake Companies In Scheme $9.5 Million Fraud: Glen Cove Man Admits Using Fake Companies In Scheme
$9.5 Million Fraud: Glen Cove Man Admits Using Fake Companies In Scheme A Long Island man who is accused of using fake businesses to defraud over $9 million from federal disaster relief funds has pleaded guilty, authorities announced. On Friday, July 14, the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) of the US Attorney’s Office announced Rami Saab’s guilty plea to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Saab, a 44-year-old from Glen Cove, was accused of stealing $9.5 million from banks and the Small Business Association (SBA) over the course of one year by creating fake companies so that he could claim COVID-19 relief loans. According to the charges, between M…
Seaford Tax Preparer Got $13M In Fraudulently Obtained Business Loans, Feds Say Seaford Tax Preparer Got $13M In Fraudulently Obtained Business Loans, Feds Say
Seaford Tax Preparer Got $13M In Fraudulently Obtained Business Loans, Feds Say A business owner on Long Island is facing federal charges after allegedly conning his way into millions of dollars in government-backed loans. Sandeep Grover, age 54, of Massapequa, is charged with major fraud against the US and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, according to an indictment that was unsealed by the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District on Wednesday, May 24. Grover is the owner of Excellent Business Services Inc., a tax preparation business based in Seaford. Prosecutors allege that between April 2020 and June 2021, he submitted over 100 applications for …
Multitude Of Government Agencies Victimized Out Of $4M By NJ Man: Feds Multitude Of Government Agencies Victimized Out Of $4M By NJ Man: Feds
Multitude Of Government Agencies Victimized Out Of $4M By NJ Man: Feds A New Jersey man stole more than $4 million through a clutch of schemes that included defrauding three different government programs, authorities charged. Gbenga Akinbode, 33, of Newark, opened a bank account and then used 120 different debit cards to buy $500,000 worth of money orders that were deposited into the account, according to a complaint filed by Homeland Security Investigations in U.S. District Court in Newark. Investigators discovered that the debit cards were funded with $4 million in fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits, bogus Paycheck Protection Program loans…
COVID-19 Fraud: Albany Nurse Midwife Doled Out Phony Vaccination Cards, Feds Say COVID-19 Fraud: Albany Nurse Midwife Doled Out Phony Vaccination Cards, Feds Say
Covid-19 Fraud: Albany Nurse Midwife Doled Out Phony Vaccination Cards, Feds Say A pair of nurse midwives from New York is facing federal charges following a nationwide investigation into COVID-19 related fraud. Kelly McDermott, of Albany, and Kathleen Breault, of Cambridge in Washington County, were among five individuals to be charged for their alleged roles in separate schemes that fraudulently distributed more than 2,600 fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. The investigation also uncovered more than $1.7 million in fraud involving the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan …
Man Used Stolen ID To Live Rent-Free In Lynn Apartment For Nearly Year: Feds Man Used Stolen ID To Live Rent-Free In Lynn Apartment For Nearly Year: Feds
Man Used Stolen ID To Live Rent-Free In Lynn Apartment For Nearly Year: Feds A 36-year-old Lynn man is accused of stealing a person's identity to rent an apartment and then never paying rent, federal authorities said.  Steeve Jean faces charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unauthorized use of a Social Security number, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He potentially faces decades in prison if convicted.  The prosecutor said that Jean rented an apartment in September 2021 under someone else's name and lived there until June 2022 without paying any recent. He left when the owners started eviction proceedings against him.  He…
IRS Bags Hundreds Of Tax Cheats, Money Launderers As COVID Relief Fraud Tops $3.2 Billion IRS Bags Hundreds Of Tax Cheats, Money Launderers As COVID Relief Fraud Tops $3.2 Billion
IRS Bags Hundreds Of Tax Cheats, Money Launderers As COVID Relief Fraud Tops $3.2 Billion It wasn't long after the government began offering COVID relief loans three years ago that IRS investigators were hot on the tails of scammers. Since then, agents with IRS Criminal Investigation have pursued 975 tax and money-laundering cases nationwide involving $3.2 billion worth of fraudulently obtained loans, credits and payments meant to help American workers, families, and small businesses who were rocked by the pandemic. Over that time, IRS-CI has kept its conviction rate at nearly 100%, federal authorities say. It has produced indictments against 458 defendants, …
COVID-19: Albany Woman Sentenced For $1.69M Relief Fraud COVID-19: Albany Woman Sentenced For $1.69M Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Albany Woman Sentenced For $1.69M Relief Fraud A New York woman will spend time in federal prison after admitting that she took advantage of loan programs meant to help businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Debra Hackstadt, age 68, of Albany, was sentenced to 16 months behind bars Tuesday, Nov. 8, in federal court in Albany after pleading guilty to wire fraud in May 2022. Earlier Report: COVID-19: Albany Woman Pleads Guilty To Pandemic Relief Fraud According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, Hackstadt admitted to fraudulently obtaining 32 government-backed loans worth more than $1.6 million betwee…
Marblehead 'Monk,' Lawyer Scammed $3.6M In COVID Relief Money To Buy Luxury Items: Feds Marblehead 'Monk,' Lawyer Scammed $3.6M In COVID Relief Money To Buy Luxury Items: Feds
Marblehead 'Monk,' Lawyer Scammed $3.6M In COVID Relief Money To Buy Luxury Items: Feds A monk and an attorney apply for COVID-19 relief loans. It sounds like the start of a joke, but the FBI isn't laughing.  Agents arrested a Marblehead man who claimed to be an Orthodox Christian monk and a woman who served as his attorney this week and charged them with a "brazen" scheme to steal more than $3.6 million from federal programs.  Brian Andrew Bushell, 47, and Tracey M.A. Stockton, 64, were arrested on Thursday, Oct. 13, after the FBI said it uncovered their efforts to swindle aid money meant for businesses struggling during the pandemic. They used that cash t…
DC Man Sentenced For Scheming To Steal $31M In COVID-19 Funds DC Man Sentenced For Scheming To Steal $31M In COVID-19 Funds
DC Man Sentenced For Scheming To Steal $31M In Covid-19 Funds A 31-year-old D.C. man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trying to steal $31 million from the government’s COVID relief programs, officials said.  Elias Eldabbagh used his company, Alias Systems, LLC, to apply for 25 phony Paycheck Protection Program loans between July 2020 and May 2021, the U.S. Attorney's Office reported. Eldabbagh used an alias to hide his identity and steal over two million dollars, which he spread across 13 separate bank and brokerage accounts, authorities said.  He also stole from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which…
Former Revere Man Stole $2.5 Million In Covid-19 Relief Money: Feds Former Revere Man Stole $2.5 Million In Covid-19 Relief Money: Feds
Former Revere Man Stole $2.5 Million In Covid-19 Relief Money: Feds A 34-year-old former Revere man stole $2.5 million in federal Covid-19 relief funds, the U.S. Attorney's Office said on Tuesday, Aug. 23.  Vinicius Santana, 34, of Boca Raton, Florida, was charged with wire fraud and unlawful money transactions, the federal prosecutor's office said.  Officials said Santana owned the Massachusetts-based painting company Complete Home Care, LLC and applied for Paycheck Protection Program loans four times. Federal pursers denied the first three applications where he claimed to have five employees and between $10,000 and $18,000 in month payroll …
COVID-19: Rensselaer Man Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud COVID-19: Rensselaer Man Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Rensselaer Man Sentenced For $144K Pandemic Relief Fraud A Capital District man who admitted to taking advantage of COVID-19 relief programs is heading to federal prison. Rensselaer County resident Hector Sanchez, age 30, of Rensselaer, was sentenced to 70 months - or just under six years - behind bars Monday, July 25, in federal court in Albany. It followed his prior guilty plea in March 2022 to charges of defrauding pandemic-related unemployment insurance and small business loan programs. Federal prosecutors said Sanchez raked in more than $131,000 by submitting false unemployment insurance claims to the New York State Department of Labor usin…
Ex-Revere Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say Ex-Revere Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say
Ex-Revere Resident Nabbed For $2.5M COVID Relief Fraud, Feds Say A former resident  from the Greater Boston area and owner of a local painting company is facing 20 years in prison for using a fake loan application to snag $2.5 million in COVID relief funds, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts said.  Vinicius Santana, age 34, formerly of Revere, who now lives in Boca Raton, Florida, allegedly submitted four Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications for his company, Complete Home Care (CHC), in April 2020, the office reports.  PPP funds were established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Safety (CARES) Act in Ma…
$6.8M COVID-19 Scam: Ex-Hedge Fund Manager Gets 4+ Years, No Parole $6.8M COVID-19 Scam: Ex-Hedge Fund Manager Gets 4+ Years, No Parole
$6.8M Covid-19 Scam: Ex-Hedge Fund Manager Gets 4+ Years, No Parole A dual New York/Florida resident was sentenced in New Jersey to a plea-bargained 51 months in federal prison for fraudulently collecting more than $6.8 million in COVID-19 payroll protection loans -- $3 million of which he lost in the stock market. Gregory J. Blotnick, 35, will have to serve just about all of the sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti sentenced Blotnick in Newark to two years of supervised release and ordered him to pay restitution of $4,577,631. Blotnick told the judge last f…
Falls Church Man Admits To Stealing Millions In COVID-Relief Money: Feds Falls Church Man Admits To Stealing Millions In COVID-Relief Money: Feds
Falls Church Man Admits To Stealing Millions In Covid-relief Money: Feds A 36-year-old Falls Church man faces up to five years in prison after he admitted this week to taking part in a conspiracy that stole millions in federal money earmarked for COVID relief, the Department of Justice said.  Fouzi Darakhshan pleaded guilty on Tuesday, May 31, to lying on applications to obtain Paycheck Protection Program loans and other federal programs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Darakhshan, his brother, and several friends took part in a scheme that siphoned more than $3 million from those funds, federal authorities contend.  The U.S. Attorney's O…
COVID-19: Albany Woman Pleads Guilty To Pandemic Relief Fraud COVID-19: Albany Woman Pleads Guilty To Pandemic Relief Fraud
Covid-19: Albany Woman Pleads Guilty To Pandemic Relief Fraud A woman from the Capital District is facing years in prison after admitting that she took advantage of loan programs meant to help businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Debra Hackstadt, age 67, of Albany, pleaded guilty Thursday, May 19, to fraudulently obtaining 32 government-backed loans, according to the US Attorney’s Office. The loans were issued to Hackstadt herself, various friends and relatives, and several companies that she controlled, prosecutors said. In all, investigators said she received more than $1.6 million between April 2020 and June 2021 through two separat…
COVID-19: Glen Cove Doctor Sentenced For $3M Pandemic Loan Fraud Scam COVID-19: Glen Cove Doctor Sentenced For $3M Pandemic Loan Fraud Scam
Covid-19: Glen Cove Doctor Sentenced For $3M Pandemic Loan Fraud Scam A New York doctor will spend time behind bars after being sentenced for spending millions of dollars obtained through fraudulently obtained small business loans during the pandemic in an effort to live a luxury lifestyle. Long Island resident Konstantinos Zarkadas, who had a Nassau County practice in Glen Cove, was sentenced in federal court to 51 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in COVID-19 emergency relief funds. In addition to his prison term, Zarkadas was also ordered to pay approximately $3.5 million in restitution after pleading guilty in November 2021 t…
Feds: Twins From Maryland Used Bogus $1M Loans To Trade Crypto, Buy Sports Car Feds: Twins From Maryland Used Bogus $1M Loans To Trade Crypto, Buy Sports Car
Feds: Twins From Maryland Used Bogus $1M Loans To Trade Crypto, Buy Sports Car A pair of twin brothers from Maryland are facing federal charges for fraudulently obtaining $1 million in COVID-19 loans, authorities announced. Jerry and Jaleel Phillips, 24, of Temple Hills, submit bogus Paycheck Protection Program loan applications (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster loan applications (EIDL), and unemployment insurance claims to get the money, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron said. The Phillips brothers created aliases, used the personal identifying information of real people, and used out of business or fake corporate entities to apply…
COVID-19: Ex-NY Jet Sentenced For Bogus $1.2M  Relief Loan COVID-19: Ex-NY Jet Sentenced For Bogus $1.2M  Relief Loan
Covid-19: Ex-NY Jet Sentenced For Bogus $1.2M Relief Loan Former NY Jet Josh Bellamy was sentenced to prison time for fraudulently claiming more than $1.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds that he spent on luxury items and a Hard Rock Hotel stay, federal prosecutors said. The 32-year-old Florida resident was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison last Friday, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, court papers show. The former NFL athlete also must pay restitution. Bellamy obtained a Paycheck Protection Program loan of $1.2 million for his company, Drip Entertainment LLC, under bogus documents and false inf…
Sussex Man Who Spent $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Car, More Sentenced Sussex Man Who Spent $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Car, More Sentenced
Sussex Man Who Spent $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Car, More Sentenced A Sussex County man was sentenced Tuesday to more than five years in federal prison for spending $5.6 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic business loans for himself, authorities said. Azhar Sarwar Rana, 31, of Newton will have to serve out just about all of the 64-month sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. The federal Paycheck Protection Program was designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat during the pandemic. Rana used the money, instead, to invest millions in the stock market, make a payment to a luxury car dealership and send hundreds of thous…
COVID-19: NY Doctor Admits To Using $3M In Fraudulently Obtained Loans To Purchase Luxury Items COVID-19: NY Doctor Admits To Using $3M In Fraudulently Obtained Loans To Purchase Luxury Items
Covid-19: NY Doctor Admits To Using $3M In Fraudulently Obtained Loans To Purchase Luxury Items A New York doctor has admitted to using more than $3 million in fraudulently obtained small business loans to purchase a yacht and other luxury items, federal authorities announced. Long Island resident Konstantino Zarkadas, a Nassau County-based medical doctor in Glen Cove, pleaded guilty to disaster relief fraud and wire fraud in connection with his receipt of millions of dollars in small business loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDLP) on Friday, Nov. 12 in Central Islip. When sentenced, Zarkadas faces up to 30 years in pri…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds COVID-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Man Admits To Stealing $4M In Relief Funds A Hudson Valley man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud and admitted to obtaining more than $4 million meant for businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ulster County resident Jean Lavanture, age 48, of Saugerties, also known as JR, and "Rudy" Lavanture, is the third person to plead guilty in this case, according to the US Attorney's Office. In pleading guilty, Lavanture admitted to conspiring with another person to obtain $4,309,581 in Paycheck Protection Program loans between June and August 2020, by submitting fraudulent loan applications in the nam…
Feds: Sussex Man Admits Spending $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Vehicle, More Feds: Sussex Man Admits Spending $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Vehicle, More
Feds: Sussex Man Admits Spending $5.6M COVID Relief Money On Stock Market, Luxury Vehicle, More A Sussex County man who was seized by federal agents as he tried to board a flight to Pakistan admitted fraudulently collecting $5.6 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic business loans that he put to personal use, authorities said. Azhar Sarwar Rana, 30, of Newton, used the money -- designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat during the pandemic – to millions in the stock market, make a payment to a luxury car dealership and send hundreds of thousands of dollars to accounts in Pakistan, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Rana submitted an application for a stimulus loan und…
Feds: Philly Man Charged With Stealing Nearly $1 Million In PPP Funds Feds: Philly Man Charged With Stealing Nearly $1 Million In PPP Funds
Feds: Philly Man Charged With Stealing Nearly $1 Million In PPP Funds A Philadelphia man was charged with two counts of bank fraud and nine counts of money laundering for stealing nearly $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and using it toward personal purchases, federal authorities said. It is alleged that in June 2020, Devron Brown, 50, received $937,500 in PPP loan proceeds, from a PPP loan application that contained false about his alleged construction business, Just Us Construction Inc., according to Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams. Brown allegedly falsified the number of employees, the wages paid to t…