Tag:

COVID-19 Relief Funds

Freeport Tax Preparer Stole $2M Through False Returns, COVID-19 Relief Fraud, DOJ Says Freeport Tax Preparer Stole $2M Through False Returns, COVID-19 Relief Fraud, DOJ Says
Freeport Tax Preparer Stole $2M Through False Returns, Covid-19 Relief Fraud, DOJ Says A Long Island tax preparer is facing federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a massive $12 million fraud scheme.  Damaris Beltre, 57, of Freeport, was indicted on wire fraud and related charges in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, March 12, after filing hundreds of false tax returns and stealing COVID-19 relief funds, prosecutors alleged. Beltre ran multiple tax preparation businesses where she falsely inflated tax refunds for clients, claiming fake dependents, fraudulent sick leave, and fuel tax credits, according to prosecutors. She allegedly charged a percentage of …
North Wales Dad Stole $43K From Softball Non-Profit While Raising $25K+  From GoFundMe DA North Wales Dad Stole $43K From Softball Non-Profit While Raising $25K+  From GoFundMe DA
North Wales Dad Stole $43K From Softball Non-Profit While Raising $25K+ From GoFundMe DA A North Wales man is accused of stealing over $43,000 from a youth baseball and softball organization while serving as its vice president of finance, Montgomery County officials announced Tuesday, Feb. 4. Christopher Pekula, 49, was charged with multiple felonies, including Theft by Unlawful Taking and Theft by Deception, following an investigation into his handling of the Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association's (MTBSA) finances. The alleged thefts took place from October 2018 to October 2023, authorities said. The investigation began on April 8, 2024, when new board members…
Former AC Housing Authority Coordinator Fraudulently Obtained Covid-19 Relief Funds: Feds Former AC Housing Authority Coordinator Fraudulently Obtained Covid-19 Relief Funds: Feds
Former AC Housing Authority Coordinator Fraudulently Obtained Covid-19 Relief Funds: Feds A 50-year-old Atlantic City resident admitted on Monday, Jan. 13 to fraudulently obtaining thousands in COVID-19 relief funds, authorities said. Luquay Zahir previously served as  Ross Family Service Coordinator for the Atlantic City Housing Authority and Urban Redevelopment Agency when unlawfully obtained the funds, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna said. In 2020 and 2021, Zahir obtained more than $30,000 through a Paycheck Protection Program loan and Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act by submitting an applica…
SEPTA Fare Increases, Service Cuts Could Happen To Transit Agencies Statewide: PA State Rep SEPTA Fare Increases, Service Cuts Could Happen To Transit Agencies Statewide: PA State Rep
SEPTA Fare Increases, Service Cuts Could Happen To Transit Agencies Statewide: PA State Rep SEPTA is proposing major fare increases and cutting services due to budget problems, something that could soon happen to transit agencies across Pennsylvania, according to a state House representative. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority announced significant fare increases and cuts to several of its services via a news release on Tuesday, Nov. 12.  The rising fare prices and service cuts are being made to help address the agency's $240 million annual budget deficit, the news release states. Public hearings on the proposed changes will be held Friday, Dec. 13. "With no pro…
Founder Of LGBTQ+ Non-Profit In DC Pleads Guilty To Fraud After 'Unexpected Return' To US: Feds Founder Of LGBTQ+ Non-Profit In DC Pleads Guilty To Fraud After 'Unexpected Return' To US: Feds
Founder Of LGBTQ+ Non-Profit In DC Pleads Guilty To Fraud After 'Unexpected Return' To US: Feds The trailblazing founder of Casa Ruby, a DC-based non-profit that had provided services to the LGBTQ+ community admitted to stealing at least $150,000 in COVID relief funds and stashing it in Central America for her personal use, authorities announced Ruby Corado, 53, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in US District Court to diverting the taxpayer-backed emergency funds to private off-shore bank accounts, which then was used for her own gain. She was charged in March with bank fraud, wire fraud, laundering of monetary instruments, monetary transactions in criminally derived proceeds, and fai…
$100K Scheme: CT Man Fraudulently Obtained COVID Relief Funds, Used For Personal Expenses $100K Scheme: CT Man Fraudulently Obtained COVID Relief Funds, Used For Personal Expenses
$100K Scheme: CT Man Fraudulently Obtained COVID Relief Funds, Used For Personal Expenses A Connecticut man has admitted to fraudulently obtaining $100,000 in COVID-19 relief funds meant for his small business and instead using it for personal expenses, federal officials said.  Tolland County resident John Matava of Coventry, age 59, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 2 to charges related to his scheme to obtain COVID-19 relief funds, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, in April 2020, Matava applied for a $100,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan from Celtic Bank for his purported business, J.…
COVID-19: Wife Of Former CT Lawmaker Gets Prison Time For Stealing Relief Funds COVID-19: Wife Of Former CT Lawmaker Gets Prison Time For Stealing Relief Funds
Covid-19: Wife Of Former CT Lawmaker Gets Prison Time For Stealing Relief Funds The wife of a former Connecticut state representative will spend time in prison for participating in a scheme to steal COVID-19 relief funds from the city of West Haven.  West Haven resident Lauren DiMassa, age 38, was sentenced to six months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on Thursday, March 23 for her role in the scheme, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  DiMassa is the wife of former state representative and West Haven city employee Michael DiMassa, who was authorized to approve the $1,150,257 in financial as…
Brighton Food Truck Owner Used $1.5M Of Covid Relief Funds To Buy Stocks: Feds Brighton Food Truck Owner Used $1.5M Of Covid Relief Funds To Buy Stocks: Feds
Brighton Food Truck Owner Used $1.5M Of Covid Relief Funds To Buy Stocks: Feds A Brighton food truck owner admitted this week to filing fake loan applications for $1.5 million in Covid-19 relief funds that he used to buy stocks, authorities said.  Loc Vo, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on Tuesday, Jan. 10, and now faces a maximum of 20 years behind bars, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.   Vo owned Smart Gourmet and Indy Publish, a dormant business in Maryland during the pandemic. Federal investigators said that between April 2020 and July 2021, Vo submitted loan applications for these businesses under three Small Business Administr…
PA Woman Stole $162K In COVID-19 Relief Funds Intended For Renters Facing Eviction PA Woman Stole $162K In COVID-19 Relief Funds Intended For Renters Facing Eviction
PA Woman Stole $162K In Covid-19 Relief Funds Intended For Renters Facing Eviction A 53-year-old Pennsylvania woman stole more than $162,000 in COVID-19 relief funds intended for renters facing eviction or utility shut-off, authorities said. Tina M. Yorgey, of Norristown, was charged with multiple counts of theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, and other related offenses, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said on Friday, Sept. 30. Prosecutors say Yorgey received $162,680 in funding on nine COVID Emergency Rental Assistance and Utility Coalition (ERUC) applications by submitting fraudulent claims and forged documents. An investigation…
Boston Food Truck Owner Charged With Stealing $1.5M In COVID Funds: Feds Boston Food Truck Owner Charged With Stealing $1.5M In COVID Funds: Feds
Boston Food Truck Owner Charged With Stealing $1.5M In COVID Funds: Feds A 55-year-old Boston food truck owner faces up to 20 years in prison after he has was charged him with lying to get $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday, July 20. Loc Vo, who owns Smart Gourmet, is accused of fraudulently filing loan applications from April 2020 until July 2021 for programs under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, the U.S. Attorney in Boston said. The programs were to help businesses stay afloat during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic.  But federal authorities said Vo used the money to invest…
Ex-Owner Of Illicit Boston-Area Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud Ex-Owner Of Illicit Boston-Area Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud
Ex-Owner Of Illicit Boston-Area Massage Parlor Sentenced For Fraud A woman was sentenced to three years of probation for fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds, the US Attorney's Office for Massachusetts reports.  Chynna Savath, age 57, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, is the former owner of a massage parlor located in Franklin called Thai Body Work.  Savath apparently obtained $34,391 in fraudulent payments from filing fake applications under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in June 2020, the office reports.  The applications also did not mention that Savath…
Man Charged In Westchester For $1.6M Fraud Scheme, Feds Say Man Charged In Westchester For $1.6M Fraud Scheme, Feds Say
Man Charged In Westchester For $1.6M Fraud Scheme, Feds Say A man from the region has been charged in connection to a scheme to defraud the US Small Business Administration of more than $1.6 million in COVID-19 relief funds, federal authorities announced. An indictment outlining the charge against Rockland County resident Elizier Scher, age 33, of Spring Valley, were unsealed on Thursday, June 9 at White Plains federal court after his arrest earlier in the morning, Damian Williams, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Michael J. Driscoll, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the FBI, announced. The SB…
COVID-19: Fairfield County Man Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining $4M In Relief Funds COVID-19: Fairfield County Man Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining $4M In Relief Funds
Covid-19: Fairfield County Man Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining $4M In Relief Funds A Fairfield County man pleaded guilty to charges related to his scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $4 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Moustapha Diakhate, age 46, of Stamford, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Jan. 26, one count of wire fraud and one count of making an illegal monetary transaction, according to an announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. Diakhate provided Citibank and M&T Bank with false, fraudulent information during a PPP loan application to receive loans for six small businesses entities, the US Attorney's…