Benjamin Eisner, of Brooklyn, was charged after investigators say he filed fraudulent Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) applications tied to his Harrisburg properties without tenants’ knowledge, according to the Office of State Inspector General and Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation began when a tenant reported Eisner had applied for rental aid in her name despite her rent already being paid, officials said. She told authorities she never completed or authorized the application.
A review by Dauphin County Human Services uncovered 10 additional suspicious applications submitted between July 1 and Jan. 25, all connected to Eisner’s properties, according to the release.
Nine of those applications were approved, resulting in $167,335.60 in federal and state funds being sent to Eisner through his company, Cima Cham LLC, investigators detailed.
Agents reviewed application documents including leases, utility records, and rent ledgers, and interviewed tenants listed on the filings, authorities said. Those tenants denied applying for assistance or signing any paperwork, and some told investigators they had never lived at the listed properties.
Officials said ERAP payments were consistently mailed to and deposited at a Brooklyn address linked to Eisner and his company.
Eisner is charged with corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by deception, criminal attempt, and forgery.
His preliminary arraignment was held before Magisterial District Judge Mikaela Sloan, and he waived his preliminary hearing, according to officials.
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