News from 2022
Georgia Resident Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Targeting Several States
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 8, 2022
News Release: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. An Austell, Georgia resident pleaded guilty today to using stolen identities to fraudulently collect more than $4 million in unemployment benefits from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES) and attempting to defraud at least five other states, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and United States Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis.
Batavia Woman Pleads Guilty To COVID Fraud
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 8, 2022
News Release: ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Danielle Tooley, 37, of Batavia, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
East Helena Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud in Covid-19 Relief Scheme
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 9, 2022
News Release: GREAT FALLS An East Helena man who admitted lying in a scheme to receive more than $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for coronavirus relief aid and using the money instead for personal benefit was sentenced on June 7 to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.
Woman Who Defrauded Illinois Bank Using Fake Identity Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 10, 2022
News Release: East St. Louis, Ill. Heather Harper, 38, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was sentenced to thirty months
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Romance Fraud Scheme
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 13, 2022
News Release: HUNTINGTON W.Va. A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to receipt of stolen money, for his role in a scheme that defrauded more than 200 victims, many of them elderly, of at least $2.5 million.
Eastern Panhandle woman sentenced for bank fraud
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 13, 2022
News Release: MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA Ana Amesquita, of Kearneysville, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day of incarceration for bank fraud, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Five people face federal charges for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funding
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 13, 2022
News Release: One defendant also charged with drug, gun felonies
Two Federally Indicted For Unlawful Possession Of Firearms In Connection With June 5, 2022 McCallie Avenue Shootings
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 14, 2022
News Release: On June 14, 2022, a federal grand jury in Greeneville, Tennessee returned a two-count indictment against Garrian King, also known as Big G, and Rodney Harris, also known as 3rd, both of Chattanooga.
Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty To Mail Fraud Conspiracy
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 14, 2022
News Release: LAS VEGAS A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty today to his role in a conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection to the illegal possession of unemployment benefit debit cards issued by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) and Arizonas Department of Economic Security (DES) the agencies administer Nevadas and Arizonas unemployment insurance program, respectively.
Georgia Man Sentenced in Bank Fraud Scheme that Exploited Homeless Individuals
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 14, 2022
News Release: PROVIDENCE, R.I. A Georgia man who solicited, transported, and paid homeless individuals from the Providence area to cash hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of counterfeit business checks in four New England states was sentenced today to two years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.
Former West Tennessee Healthcare Director Sentenced to Federal Prison
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 16, 2022
News Release: Jackson, TN Melanie Haste, 62, formerly of Trenton, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud. Joseph C. Murphy Jr., United States Attorney,announced the sentence today.
Romanian National Involved in ATM Skimming Scheme is Sentenced
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 16, 2022
News Release: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that NICOLAE MARIUS BARBU, 50, a citizen of Romania, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 21 months of imprisonment for his participation in an extensive ATM skimming scheme that defrauded banks in Connecticut and elsewhere.
Omaha Woman Sentenced for Role in Forged Stimulus Check Conspiracy
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 17, 2022
News Release: Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jessica A. Lovering, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to a sentence of time served for Conspiracy to Pass and Utter Forged United States Treasury Checks and two counts of Passing and ...
Leicester Man Sentenced to Nearly Three Years in Prison for Unemployment and Loan Fraud Schemes Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 17, 2022
News Release: BOSTON A Leicester man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Worcester for his involvement in fraud schemes affecting the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Programs in Massachusetts and Nevada.
Brooklyn Men Who Allegedly Stole Approximately $227,000 from Elderly Clinton Hill Woman Indicted on Grand Larceny and Other Charges
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 22, 2022
News Release: NEW YORK - Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and United States Secret Service New York Field Office Special Agent in Charge Patrick Freaney today announced that two men were arraigned on an indictment in which they are variously charged with grand larceny and other charges for allegedly stealing approximately $227,000 from an elderly woman. One of the individuals, a former neighbor of the 94-year-old woman, allegedly facilitated the theft using a Power of Attorney.
Feds Charge 19 Defendants with Pandemic Fraud of over $24 Million
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 23, 2022
News Release: PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, together with other federal law enforcement officials announced today charges against 19 defendants for defrauding federal programs funded by the CARES Act and designed to provide a financial safety net for Americans during the pandemic. Collectively ...
Feds Charge 19 Defendants with Pandemic Fraud of over $24 Million
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 23, 2022
News Release: PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, together with other federal law enforcement officials announced today charges against 19 defendants for defrauding federal programs funded by the CARES Act and designed to provide a financial safety net for Americans during the pandemic. Collectively ...
Former Banco Popular Employee Sentenced to 12 Months for Fraudulent Use of ATM Cards
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 23, 2022
News Release: St. Thomas, VI United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Natasha Seetaram, 39, of St. Thomas, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert Molloy to 12 months and one day of incarceration, followed by four years of supervised release for bank fraud.
New York Man Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 24, 2022
News Release: Defendant fraudulently obtained over $350,000 in pandemic relief funds
Springfield Woman Sentenced for Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Scheme
By Homeland Newswire | Jun 24, 2022
News Release: Defendant submitted 25 fraudulent PUA claims on behalf of others