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James Wessels

Executive

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Person
Role
Executive
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The profile

A Middletown, Delaware man charged with creating fake payroll checks and fraudulent tax forms in a multi-state COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy on May 26, 2026 — four weeks before his scheduled jury trial. Sentencing is set for Oct. 13, 2026.

Individuals whose conduct was challenged or called into question during or after the pandemic. See sources: DOJ charging release, July 19, 2023 DOJ indictment release, April 17, 2024

Identity and role

James Wessels, 53, of Middletown, Delaware, was charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (Camden) in a multi-state COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, alongside Eric Rivera, Lisa Smith, Sieff Robert Sargeant, Adrienne Ponzo, Yasha Barjona, and William Ingram.

The scheme and pandemic-relief role

According to the July 2023 DOJ charging release , the scheme was orchestrated by Eric Rivera, who recruited businesses into the fraud and took a share of proceeds; Lisa Smith prepared fraudulent PPP applications; Sieff Robert Sargeant distributed fake payroll checks; Adrienne Ponzo prepared fraudulent EIDL applications; and Wessels's role was creating fake payroll checks. Per the April 2024 indictment release , Wessels also created fraudulent IRS tax forms for a fee for the PPP applications of companies Rivera controlled or recruited, and conspired with loan recipients to conceal that PPP proceeds were spent on non-payroll expenses.

  • Charged: July 19, 2023, by complaint with conspiracy to commit money laundering, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (DOJ release); released on a $100,000 unsecured bond.
  • Indicted: April 17, 2024, on one count of bank fraud conspiracy, three counts of bank fraud, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
  • Set for trial, then not: a Nov. 6, 2025 status conference set a jury trial for Rivera and Wessels for June 22, 2026 (Dkt. 105 minute entry). Rivera pleaded guilty on April 22, 2026, and on May 19, 2026 the government requested a change-of-plea hearing for Wessels and the court vacated the trial scheduling order (docket).
  • Pleaded guilty: May 26, 2026, to Count 1 of the indictment — bank fraud conspiracy — before Judge Karen M. Williams (Dkt. 127 minute entry; plea agreement Dkt. 129, image-only). A consent forfeiture money judgment of $30,610 was entered the same day (Dkt. 130). No DOJ or FDIC OIG release announcing the plea has been located.
  • Sentencing: set for Oct. 13, 2026 (Dkt. 127 / docket).

Where they are now (2025–2026)

Awaiting sentencing (set for Oct. 13, 2026) on the May 26, 2026 guilty plea to bank fraud conspiracy.

Sources

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