Tag:

CARES Act

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: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Admits To Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid COVID-19: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Admits To Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid
Covid-19: Bayville Adventure Park Owner Admits To Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid A man who owns a theme park and restaurant in New York has admitted to stealing over $3 million through federal COVID-19 aid with some of those funds used to buy a home on Nantucket. Long Island resident Donald Finley, age 61, of Roslyn, the owner of Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant in Manhattan and the Bayville Adventure Park in Nassau County, pleaded guilty to disaster relief fraud and wire fraud on Thursday, May 25. As stated in court filings by the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace: Between March 2020 and March 2021, amid the COVID pandemic, Finley fra…
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, …
NJ COVID Scammer Who Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans Gets Three Years In Fed Pen NJ COVID Scammer Who Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans Gets Three Years In Fed Pen
NJ COVID Scammer Who Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans Gets Three Years In Fed Pen UPDATE: A North Jersey businessman who collected $1.8 million in COVID-19 pandemic loans that he wasn't entitled to, then diverted the money into accounts held by family members -- including his young children -- was sentenced to three years in federal prison on Wednesday. Rocco A. Malanga, 39, formerly of Hackettstown, must serve out the entire plea-bargained sentence approved by a U.S. District Court judge in Newark on March 22 because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. Malanga lied on documents to three different lenders to secure federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) mo…
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…
Marilyn Mosby Trial Postponed Shortly After Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Perjury Charges Marilyn Mosby Trial Postponed Shortly After Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Perjury Charges
Marilyn Mosby Trial Postponed Shortly After Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss Perjury Charges A federal judge has postponed a trial against Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby shortly after dismissing a motion to dismiss perjury charges against her after she was accused of lying about her financial hardship, according to multiple reports. Mosby is accused of lying about her hardship in order to withdraw money without penalties from her retirement account and falsified information on loan applications for properties in Florida.  The accusations led to federal charges against Mosby for perjury and false statements on mortgage applications, the reports state. Attorneys …
Four Face Federal Indictment In Maryland For $3M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme Four Face Federal Indictment In Maryland For $3M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme
Four Face Federal Indictment In Maryland For $3M Covid-19 Fraud Scheme Four Maryland residents are facing federal indictment for a CARES Act COVID-19 unemployment fraud scheme that saw over $3 million in losses, officials say. Three of the suspects had an initial court appearance in Baltimore on Thursday, July 21, while the fourth was scheduled to appear on Friday, July 22 in Florida. Those facing charges:  Tyshawna Davis, 38, of Gwynn Oak; Donna Jones, 55, of Cockeysville; Devante Smith, 27, of Hanover; Tila Woods, 44, of Baltimore. From June 2020 through May 2021, the four used the identification information of their victims to fraudulently obtain une…
Nigerian National Living In Maryland Sentenced After Running Elderly Fraud Scheme Nigerian National Living In Maryland Sentenced After Running Elderly Fraud Scheme
Nigerian National Living In Maryland Sentenced After Running Elderly Fraud Scheme A Nigerian national living in Maryland was sentenced to eight years in federal prison after running a fraud scheme that targeted the elderly, authorities say. Oluwaseyi Akinyemi, also known as “Paddy Linkin” and “Joseph Kadin,” 35, ran the social media scheme from July 2018 to April 2019, offering victims non-existent financial rewards if they sent cash, money orders, or gift cards to cover fraudulent "taxes and fees", according to the Department of Justice. Akinyemi and at least one other co-conspirator posed as real and fake government agencies and impersonated social media accounts of th…
COVID-19: Oxford Couple Pays $169K To Resolve Claims Of Relief Loan Fraud COVID-19: Oxford Couple Pays $169K To Resolve Claims Of Relief Loan Fraud
Covid-19: Oxford Couple Pays $169K To Resolve Claims Of Relief Loan Fraud A Connecticut couple paid nearly $170,000 to resolve allegations that they allegedly spent thousands in small business loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, federal officials announced. New Haven County residents Janine and Gerard Carbonaro, of Oxford, agreed to pay 169,563.60 as part of an agreement for fraudulently misspending $109,000 in small business loans during the pandemic to purchase new property in Florida. US Attorney Leonard Boyle said that on April 7, 2020, Gerard Carbonaro applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Grant/Advance on be…
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…
COVID-19: Springfield Woman Admits To Fraud Related To Pandemic COVID-19: Springfield Woman Admits To Fraud Related To Pandemic
Covid-19: Springfield Woman Admits To Fraud Related To Pandemic A Western Massachusetts woman admitted to a $1.2 million unemployment fraud scheme that she ran during the COVID-19 pandemic to illegally obtain unemployment benefits. Audri Ford-Victory, age 61, of Springfield, pleaded guilty in US District Court to one count of wire fraud in connection to her involvement in a scheme with a co-conspirator to profit from the pandemic. Prosecutors said that Ford-Victory and her co-conspirator submitted more than 100 fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims resulting in more than $1.2 million in payments. Approximately half of the PUA claims…
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…
8 Philly Police Employees Indicted For Collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Funds 8 Philly Police Employees Indicted For Collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Funds
8 Philly Police Employees Indicted For Collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Funds Eight Philadelphia police department employees were indicted for collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds, while also collecting their paychecks, federal authorities announced Tuesday. A grand jury on Nov. 18 returned indictments against Shannon Reynolds, 25, Monica Pelzer, 45, Yarelis Feliciano, 28, Najah Harrell, 32, Korey Kinard, 28, Keely Maude, 23, Tashika White, 50, and Paulette Johnson, 55, according to the U.S Department of Justice. All but Johnson, who is employed as a clerk, work as radio dispatchers for the police department. Each …
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…
Union County Woman Admits Destroying Evidence In $400,000 COVID Unemployment Scam Union County Woman Admits Destroying Evidence In $400,000 COVID Unemployment Scam
Union County Woman Admits Destroying Evidence In $400,000 COVID Unemployment Scam A Union County woman admitted in federal court that she was shredding bogus credit and debit cards -- obtained by a man who fraudulently collected $400,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits from the state of New York -- when investigators came busting in. Detectives armed with a search warrant found Latoyia McCollum, 46, of Hillside in the kitchen of an undisclosed location "placing what appeared to be a credit/debit card into the shredder" while face-timing on a cellphone in October 2020, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. McCollum told them she was on the phone with Maurice Mills…
Feds: NJ Scammer, Accomplice Submit $1.2M In Bogus COVID-19 Unemployment Claims Feds: NJ Scammer, Accomplice Submit $1.2M In Bogus COVID-19 Unemployment Claims
Feds: NJ Scammer, Accomplice Submit $1.2M In Bogus Covid-19 Unemployment Claims A Paterson man and an accomplice filed nearly $1.2 million in bogus COVID-related unemployment claims over the course of three months, federal authorities in Massachusetts charged. Omar Thompson, 39, and his unidentified female partner submitted more than 100 fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims, sometimes recruiting people from other states in the scheme and pocketing kickbacks, they said. Roughly half of the claims were submitted on behalf of people with out-of-state driver’s licenses and mailing addresses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts. In anoth…
Feds: Sussex Scammer Used Dead People’s Names To Collect $1.9M In COVID Relief Feds: Sussex Scammer Used Dead People’s Names To Collect $1.9M In COVID Relief
Feds: Sussex Scammer Used Dead People’s Names To Collect $1.9M In COVID Relief A Sussex County scammer identified people who’d been dead for years as business partners to help collect $1.9 million from the federal fund established to help struggling companies during COVID-19, authorities charged. John Jhong, 51, of Sparta, also submitted phony IRS documents with bogus Paycheck Protection Program applications to the lenders on behalf of 10 purported businesses, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Jhong converted a portion of the money intended for distressed businesses into a cashier’s check “that was used to fund a business account,” Honig said. Congress a ye…
North Jersey Trio Accused Of Stealing COVID Relief Money North Jersey Trio Accused Of Stealing COVID Relief Money
North Jersey Trio Accused Of Stealing COVID Relief Money Three North Jersey residents were charged with stealing COVID-19 relief money after applying for separate loans for made-up businesses, authorities said. Adam Rodriguez, 22, of Clifton, and Madison Sedell, 19, of Secaucus, last year applied for  three separate loans -- two for $10,000 and one for $9,000 -- for made-up agricultural and marketing companies, Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. The pair were awarded a collective $10,000 from funds intended to assist legitimate small businesses struggling amid the pandemic, Miller said. Rodriquez then forced a check belongi…
COVID-19: Here's When To Expect Second Stimulus Check To Arrive COVID-19: Here's When To Expect Second Stimulus Check To Arrive
Covid-19: Here's When To Expect Second Stimulus Check To Arrive Relief is on the way for Americans financially strapped during the COVID-19 crisis. Congressional leaders unveiled on Sunday, Dec. 20 an approximately $900 billion stimulus deal that will provide Americans that qualify direct payments of $600 to help offset the hardships caused during the pandemic. The $600 is half of what was directed during the first round of stimulus checks earlier this year. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told CNBC on Monday that the checks could be in Americans’ bank accounts in a matter of just a few days for those who have direct deposit info on file with the IRS.…
COVID-19: Feds Nab Fleeing Sussex Man Accused Of Pocketing $5.6M Small Biz Pandemic Loan COVID-19: Feds Nab Fleeing Sussex Man Accused Of Pocketing $5.6M Small Biz Pandemic Loan
Covid-19: Feds Nab Fleeing Sussex Man Accused Of Pocketing $5.6M Small Biz Pandemic Loan A Sussex County man who collected $5.6 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic loans that he wasn't entitled to was about to board a flight to Pakistan when federal agents arrested him, authorities said. Azhar Sarwar Rana, 30, of Newton, took the money -- designed to keep struggling small businesses afloat during the pandemic – and invested millions in the stock market, made a payment to a luxury car dealership and sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to accounts in Pakistan, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said. Rana submitted an application for a stimulus loan under the federal Paycheck Prote…
COVID-19: LI Duo Nabbed For $13M Fraud Scheme To Get Loans Intended To Help Small Businesses COVID-19: LI Duo Nabbed For $13M Fraud Scheme To Get Loans Intended To Help Small Businesses
Covid-19: LI Duo Nabbed For $13M Fraud Scheme To Get Loans Intended To Help Small Businesses A pair of men facing charges for an alleged human smuggling operation and a third woman - two of whom are from Long Island - are being accused of allegedly stealing millions of dollars that were earmarked for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Related story - Long Island Man Accused Of Smuggling Vietnamese Nationals To Work At Nail Salons Hicksville residents Ngoc Manh Nguyen, Victoria Dieuy Ho, and Bronx resident Dat Tat Ho have been arrested and charged for allegedly stealing more than $13 million in federal funding that was designated for small business owners from the g…
NJ COVID-19 Scammer Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans, Feds Charge NJ COVID-19 Scammer Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans, Feds Charge
NJ Covid-19 Scammer Pocketed $1.8M In Taxpayer-Funded Rescue Loans, Feds Charge A North Jersey businessman fraudulently secured nearly $2 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic loans he wasn't entitled to, then diverted the money into accounts held by family members, including his young children, federal authorities charged. Rocco A. Malanga, 48, of Hackettstown, “used a variety of false statements to fraudulently obtain approximately $1.8 million in federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds meant for distressed small businesses,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said Thursday. He then diverted the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) money to “accounts under the control of his …
Essential Services Won't Be Cut In 2021 Westchester Budget, Latimer Says Essential Services Won't Be Cut In 2021 Westchester Budget, Latimer Says
Essential Services Won't Be Cut In 2021 Westchester Budget, Latimer Says Despite the economic hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Westchester County Executive George Latimer has proposed a new budget that includes a property tax cut without cutting any essential services. Latimer said that the budget proposal will include a $15 million cut in total spending while cutting the property tax levy by $1 million for the second straight year. The tax reduction comes with no increase to the county’s sales tax, there will be no layoffs or reduction in essential services in Westchester. According to Latimer, the county was able to balance this year’s budget w…
COVID-19 Unemployment: Will $300 Weekly Benefit Pass? COVID-19 Unemployment: Will $300 Weekly Benefit Pass?
Covid-19 Unemployment: Will $300 Weekly Benefit Pass? The number of New Jersey residents who have applied for unemployment benefits has surged to more than 1.5 million since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act gave workers an extra $600 per week, but expired at July’s end. President Trump’s executive order calling for a new $400 weekly benefit was signed last month. Gov. Murphy then applied for the FEMA Lost Wages Supplemental Assistance Program, the expanded benefit, requesting funding for the weeks of Aug. 1, 8 and 15. If approved, New Jersey residents will receive $300 rather than $400 because the state was already paying wor…
5 Takeaways From Last Night's Congressman Neal v. Mayor Morse Debate 5 Takeaways From Last Night's Congressman Neal v. Mayor Morse Debate
5 Takeaways From Last Night's Congressman Neal v. Mayor Morse Debate Real issues were at the heart of last night’s debate between candidates seeking to represent Massachusetts’ First Congressional District - which includes Hampden and Berkshire counties as well as large sections of Hampshire and Franklin counties. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and challenger Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse faced off in their first hour-long debate. Another is planned for Aug. 20. Among the topics were COVID-19, campaign donations, Trump’s taxes, and whether either candidate is adequately present in the district. Here are five takeaways from last night’s debate: 1. Corporate Money Neal …
COVID-19: CT Ban On Tenant Evictions Extended COVID-19: CT Ban On Tenant Evictions Extended
Covid-19: CT Ban On Tenant Evictions Extended Renters in Connecticut were given relief by the state this week as the state extended the moratorium on evictions. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced that the ban on evictions - which was set to expire on Wednesday, July 1, will be extended through Saturday, Aug. 25, which coincides with the federal CARES Act. According to reports, tens of thousands of people could be facing evictions in Connecticut due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has left millions across the country unemployed who now owe back rent. Lamont also released a $33.3 million Housing Aid Package that …
COVID-19: UConn Announces Furloughs, Cuts COVID-19: UConn Announces Furloughs, Cuts
Covid-19: UConn Announces Furloughs, Cuts Facing the biggest budget deficit in history amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the University of Connecticut announced furloughs and cuts for some staff. Beginning next month, non-union managers at the university will be furloughed without pay for one day a month - approximately 5 percent of their yearly salary - UConn President Tom Katsouleas wrote in a letter to staff last week. The university’s budget is expected to top more than $50 million due to the COVID-19 outbreak. "While we have taken steps to ameliorate this by implementing hiring and spending restrictions, advocati…
INVESTIGATION: Authorities Clip Woodbridge PD's Department Barbershop INVESTIGATION: Authorities Clip Woodbridge PD's Department Barbershop
Investigation: Authorities Clip Woodbridge PD's Department Barbershop No more police headquarters haircuts in Woodbridge.  A temporary barbershop inside the township police department has shut down amidst an investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Woodbridge Township Police Director Robert Hubner was told to stop inviting a barber into the sally port to give officers and civilian workers haircuts as soon as his office became aware of it, Acting Prosecutor Christopher L. C. Kuberiet said in a statement. Personal care businesses have been closed in New Jersey since March 19 when Gov. Phil Murphy issued an executive order to slow the spr…
Don't Toss That Envelope From Omaha -- It Has Your Federal Stimulus Prepaid Debit Card Don't Toss That Envelope From Omaha -- It Has Your Federal Stimulus Prepaid Debit Card
Don't Toss That Envelope From Omaha -- It Has Your Federal Stimulus Prepaid Debit Card If a plain white envelope from Omaha, Nebraska arrives in the mail, don’t throw it away. It may be your federal stimulus payment. Last week, the IRS and U.S. Treasury Department began mailing Economic Impact Payments as prepaid debit cards. In addition to a P.O. Box in Omaha, the return address says the letter is from "Money Network Cardholder Services." Nearly 4 million Americans waiting for their slice of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act are expected to get their stimulus money in the form of an EIP Card, as opposed to a paper check signed by President Donald J. Trump. The trouble is, th…
Feds: Ex-Reality Star Uses $2 Million Business Pandemic Loan For Jewelry, Child Support Feds: Ex-Reality Star Uses $2 Million Business Pandemic Loan For Jewelry, Child Support
Feds: Ex-Reality Star Uses $2 Million Business Pandemic Loan For Jewelry, Child Support Former “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” star Maurice “Arkansas Mo” Fayne used a $2,045,800 coronavirus pandemic loan on jewelry for himself – including a 5.73-carat diamond ring – and child support, among other illegal purposes, said federal authorities who charged him with bank fraud. Federal agents who raided Fayne’s Georgia home this week said they seized roughly $80,000 in cash -- including $9,400 that they said he had in his pockets. The 37-year-old Fayne secured the loan in the name of a corporation that he called Flame Trucking to support 107 employees and an average monthly payroll of …