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Meelad Dezfooli

Defendant

Type
Person
Role
Defendant
Updated

The profile

A Nevada man, also known as "James Dez," convicted of fraudulently obtaining over $11.2 million in PPP loans across three shell companies. He laundered the funds through roughly 25 properties, gambling and luxury purchases, and was sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison.

Identity and role

Meelad Dezfooli, also known as James Dez, of Nevada, was the principal behind Best Floors Ltd, A-Series LLC, and Nevada Sales Limited (also associated with an entity called Holdings Trust), prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.

The scheme and pandemic-relief role

According to the Department of Justice, Dezfooli obtained three PPP loans totaling approximately $11.23 million for Best Floors Ltd, A-Series LLC, and Nevada Sales Limited, then laundered the proceeds through roughly 25 Nevada real-estate transactions, gambling activity, and luxury purchases.

  • Charged: United States v. Dezfooli, No. 2:22-cr-00142-RFB-DJA (D. Nev.), on bank fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344), money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1957), and criminal forfeiture (18 U.S.C. § 982).
  • Convicted: per DOJ, "Nevada Man Convicted of $11.2M COVID-19 Fraud."
  • Sentenced: August 21, 2025 — 188 months (over 15 years) in federal prison, 5 years of supervised release, $11,793,064.15 in restitution, and a $11,231,186.52 forfeiture order; two vehicles and five residential properties were seized.

Where they are now (2025–2026)

Sentenced on August 21, 2025, to more than 15 years in prison.

Sources

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