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US Small Business Administration

$1.7M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme: Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Mount Vernon PD Sentenced $1.7M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme: Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Mount Vernon PD Sentenced
$1.7M Covid-19 Fraud Scheme: Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Mount Vernon PD Sentenced A mother-daughter duo has been sentenced to prison for defrauding the government of approximately $1.7 million.  Westchester County residents Alicia Ayers and her mother, Andrea Ayers, both of Mount Vernon, were found guilty of submitting more than 300 fraudulent applications for US Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  Andrea Ayers was a former Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Mount Vernon Police Department. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program to provide low-interest …
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…
Long Island Businesses, Homes Damaged During Severe Weather Eligible For Recovery Loans: Hochul Long Island Businesses, Homes Damaged During Severe Weather Eligible For Recovery Loans: Hochul
Long Island Businesses, Homes Damaged During Severe Weather Eligible For Recovery Loans: Hochul Businesses and homeowners on Long Island may be eligible for low-interest recovery loans to repair damage from severe wind and rain earlier in the year. The loans will be available for Long Islanders starting on Friday, March 15, according to an announcement by Gov. Kathy Hochul. “New Yorkers and their businesses should not have to carry the burden of storm recovery alone, and these loans will go a long way in helping those impacted build back better and stronger,” she said. The announcement comes nearly two months after a multi-hazard weather event hit much of the state and Long Island…
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…
COVID-19 Fraud: Albany Man Gets Prison Time For $125K Loan Scheme COVID-19 Fraud: Albany Man Gets Prison Time For $125K Loan Scheme
Covid-19 Fraud: Albany Man Gets Prison Time For $125K Loan Scheme After bilking the federal government out of more than $100,000 through a fraudulently obtained loan, a 36-year-old man from the region is heading to prison. Christopher Mozone, of Albany, was sentenced to 3 ½ years behind bars in Albany federal court on Thursday, Aug. 31. It followed his guilty plea to wire fraud stemming from a government loan he received that was meant to help businesses struggling due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to prosecutors, Mozone admitted to obtaining a $124,800 Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the US Small Business Administration (SBA). I…
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…
COVID-19 $14.7M Scheme: New Rochelle Man Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say COVID-19 $14.7M Scheme: New Rochelle Man Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say
Covid-19 $14.7M Scheme: New Rochelle Man Tried Stealing From Relief Program, Feds Say Two men from Westchester and a Long Island woman face charges after participating in a more than $14 million scheme to steal from a program created to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials said.  New Rochelle resident Glenroy Walker, age 65, Mount Vernon resident Gary Wheeler, age 46, Freeport resident Sherril Baez, age 50, and three others are charged with scheming to steal more than $14 million from the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Tuesday, June 6.  The …
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…
Spring Valley Man Charged For $1.6 Million Fraud Scheme Spring Valley Man Charged For $1.6 Million Fraud Scheme
Spring Valley Man Charged For $1.6 Million Fraud Scheme 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…
Doctor From Rye Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say Doctor From Rye Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say
Doctor From Rye Charged For 'Prolific Seven-Year Fraud Scheme,' Feds Say An eye doctor from Westchester who had practices throughout the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County who was previously charged with healthcare fraud has been sentenced for attempting to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic through loan fraud. Westchester resident Ameet Goyal, age 58, of Rye, who operated The Eye Associates Group, with practices in Rye, Mount Kisco, Wappingers Falls in Dutchess County, and Greenwich, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison for orchestrating a seven-year fraud scheme and for obtaining government loans intended for small businesses during the pandemic. In addition t…
Man Admits In NY To Laundering Millions From Fraud Schemes Targeting Victims Across US Man Admits In NY To Laundering Millions From Fraud Schemes Targeting Victims Across US
Man Admits In NY To Laundering Millions From Fraud Schemes Targeting Victims Across US A 36-year-old man has pleaded guilty in New York to a charge related to a money-laundering scheme involving the theft of tens of millions of dollars. Fred Asante, of Virginia, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Feb. 16, to conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to Damian Williams, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York. He was arrested on Feb. 17, 2021, Williams reported. “Fred Asante admitted today to laundering money from victims of various fraud schemes, including cruel scams targeting elderly online daters searching for companionship," Williams said. …
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…
COVID-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Westchester Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme A pair of Westchester residents are among four facing charges for their roles in a multi-million dollar COVID-19 fraud scheme during the height of the pandemic. Mount Vernon residents Quadri Salahuddin, age 25, and Anwar Salahuddin, age 35, Los Angeles resident Christal Ransom, age 44, and Jacob Carter, age 35, of Capitol Heights, Maryland are facing charges for allegedly submitting more than 1,000 fraudulent applications for small business loans in various peoples’ names and accepting kickbacks. US Attorney Damian Williams announced this week that the four allegedly schemed to defraud the …
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…
NJ, PA Strip Club Owners Sue Feds Over Withheld Stimulus Money NJ, PA Strip Club Owners Sue Feds Over Withheld Stimulus Money
NJ, PA Strip Club Owners Sue Feds Over Withheld Stimulus Money There's nothing socially distant about a lap dance, which is why most strip clubs had to completely shut down during 2020. Now they want to government to pony up. Denied small business stimulus funds, owners of adult entertainment businesses in Pennsylania and New Jersey have joined colleagues from five other states in suing the federal government. The owners claim the U.S. Small Business Administration has denied them “Restaurant Revitalization Fund” grants for moral reasons, which they say is a clear violation of their constitutional rights. Among those now participating in the…
Feds: Wyckoff Man Busted Using Dead Brother's Identity To Get COVID Relief Loan Feds: Wyckoff Man Busted Using Dead Brother's Identity To Get COVID Relief Loan
Feds: Wyckoff Man Busted Using Dead Brother's Identity To Get COVID Relief Loan A Bergen County man stole his dead brother’s identity to get a $150,000 COVID economic disaster loan, said federal authorities who arrested him Thursday. Nathanael Zimmerman, 40, of Wyckoff also orchestrated a mortgage fraud scheme among applicants for Federal Housing Administration-FHA insured loans, submitting bogus bank statements and collecting a portion of the proceeds, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. The loans defaulted and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development lost more than $300,000, she said. Last year, Zimmerman used his deceased brother’s personal iden…
Feds: 2nd Cali Man Laundered $560,000 Stolen From Bergen Man, $285,000 In Gov't Loan Scheme Feds: 2nd Cali Man Laundered $560,000 Stolen From Bergen Man, $285,000 In Gov't Loan Scheme
Feds: 2nd Cali Man Laundered $560,000 Stolen From Bergen Man, $285,000 In Gov't Loan Scheme A second California man has been charged in an email scam that cost a Bergen County property owner $560,000 – and there could be more, federal authorities said. Anthony Debose Hannah, 57, controlled an account where co-conspirator Eric Bullard wired $230,000 of the money, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Bullard, 59, of Los Angeles had hacked an email account at a law firm representing the victim, then wrote to the client with instructions to wire the $560,000 into an escrow account identified as “Eric’s Commercial LLC,” Honig said. The day the transfer was posted, Bullard was s…
Feds: Cali Con Man Hacks Law Firm Email, Collects $755,000 From Bergen Victim, US Government Feds: Cali Con Man Hacks Law Firm Email, Collects $755,000 From Bergen Victim, US Government
Feds: Cali Con Man Hacks Law Firm Email, Collects $755,000 From Bergen Victim, US Government A Bergen County property owner got fooled into wiring $560,000 to a con man from California who also collected nearly $195,000 in small business loans by fraud, authorities said. Eric Bullard, 59, of Los Angeles hacked an email account at a law firm representing the victim, then wrote to the client with instructions to wire the money into an escrow account identified as “Eric’s Commercial LLC,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. The account at the time held all of $40, Honig said. The day the transfer was posted, Bullard was seen on surveillance footage withdrawing $96,275 in 10 s…
MontCo Grant Program Awards $6 Million To 600 Local Restaurants In 2021 MontCo Grant Program Awards $6 Million To 600 Local Restaurants In 2021
MontCo Grant Program Awards $6 Million To 600 Local Restaurants In 2021 The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced Wednesday that a total of $6 million has been awarded from the MontcoStrong 2021 Restaurant Grant Program to 600 restaurants and food-service businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. The $6 million is in addition to the nearly $20 million awarded by the county last year that helped small businesses and nonprofit organizations that were struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kelly Cofrancisco, the Director of Communications for Montgomery County. Applications went live on December 30, 2020, and closed on January 8,…
COVID-19: Westchester Doctor Accused Of Illegally Receiving Government-Guaranteed Loans COVID-19: Westchester Doctor Accused Of Illegally Receiving Government-Guaranteed Loans
Covid-19: Westchester Doctor Accused Of Illegally Receiving Government-Guaranteed Loans An eye doctor from Westchester who had practices throughout the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County who was previously charged with healthcare fraud is facing new charges for allegedly attempting to exploit the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Ameet Goyal, 57, of Rye, who operates The Eye Associates Group, with practices in Rye, Mount Kisco, Wappingers Falls, and Greenwich, was arrested and charged by federal officials for allegedly fraudulently billing patients last year. Earlier story - Area Doctor Billed Patients $8M For Surgeries He Didn't Do, Feds Say According to U.S. Attorne…
Former Tuckahoe Mayor Robert “Bob” D’Agostino, 85 Former Tuckahoe Mayor Robert “Bob” D’Agostino, 85
Former Tuckahoe Mayor Robert “Bob” D’Agostino, 85 Robert "Bob" D'Agostino, a longtime Tuckahoe trustee and mayor, has died at the age of 85. Bob was born June 20, 1934, in Bronxville to John and Mary (née Benedetto) D’Agostino. He graduated from Eastchester High School in 1952; some of his fondest memories there were as a star athlete, playing football, baseball and basketball. He later attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, graduating with honors in 1956.  Bob traveled the world as a merchant marine before marrying the former Trudy Ecks on Nov. 17, 1956. They were married for 52 years until her death in 2008. Bob’…
African American Chamber Of Commerce President Phil Andrews Earns Statewide Honor African American Chamber Of Commerce President Phil Andrews Earns Statewide Honor
African American Chamber Of Commerce President Phil Andrews Earns Statewide Honor The president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce  Phil Andrews is the 2019 "Small Business Champion," a recognition by the New York District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The district includes New York City, Long Island, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties. The LIAACC is the largest African American chamber in New York state said, Andrews.  Being recognized in this way serves as a "motivational factor" to continue the work "we do on a daily basis for many years into the future," he …
Fairfield County Resident Appointed To Post In Trump Administration Fairfield County Resident Appointed To Post In Trump Administration
Fairfield County Resident Appointed To Post In Trump Administration Kathleen McShane of New Canaan has been appointed to a top business post within the Trump Administration. Administrator Linda McMahon of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced McShane's appointment as the head of the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO). McMahon resides in Greenwich. McShane founded Ladies Launch Club, a popular area business, in 2006. The company was dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs launch or expand their business. As Assistant Administrator for OWBO, McShane will oversee the agency’s efforts to promote the growth of women-owned busine…