Middle District Of Florida Task Force Continues To Combat COVID-19 Fraud (Press Release, October 17, 2023)
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, dated Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in which U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces results of the office's efforts against COVID-19 fraud. It states that the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force, formed in March 2020, has prosecuted 73 defendants who collectively sought to defraud the United States of over $83 million. In fiscal year 2023 the Task Force indicted 24 cases in which defendants sought more than $14 million. The release says Victory Automotive Group, Inc. agreed to pay $9 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations tied to PPP loan forgiveness, and that more than $17.2 million in fraud proceeds has been forfeited. A chart lists charged, adjudicated and sentenced cases by division.
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“Middle District Of Florida Task Force Continues To Combat COVID-19 Fraud (Press Release, October 17, 2023).”
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PRESS RELEASE
Middle District Of Florida Task Force
Continues To Combat COVID-19 Fraud
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved by the Middle District of Florida’s
efforts to combat fraud related to COVID-19. Those efforts have included complementary actions by the United States
Attorney’s Office’s (USAO-MDFL) Criminal, Asset Recovery, Appellate, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and
local law enforcement agencies.
“The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office continues to pursue, investigate, prosecute, and recover
money from those who were engaged in major or sophisticated fraud schemes designed to steal benefits intended for
Americans coping with the myriad impacts of the pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.
On the criminal enforcement front, the USAO-MDFL and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined
resources in March 2020 to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to identify, investigate, and
prosecute fraud related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Task Force has prosecuted 73
defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP),
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Unemployment Insurance (UI), the Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), the
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), as well as government Healthcare programs such as Medicare (HCF).
Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $83 million. Fifty-three of those defendants
have already been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against 20 defendants. (See chart for criminal case
details.) In fiscal year 2023, the Task Force indicted 24 COVID-19 fraud related cases in which defendants sought to obtain
more than $14 million from the various federal programs.
For example, in September 2023, Jordan Ross was indicted on charges relating to EIDL and PPP applications he submitted.
During the pandemic, Ross applied for 3 EIDLs and 5 PPP loans. Ross made numerous false statements in these
applications including misrepresenting the number of employees, submitting fake tax documents, and submitting fake
invoices. Ross’s false and fraudulent representation caused the SBA and PPP lender to approve and fund 1 EIDL and 2 PPP
loans totaling over $800,000. Ross used these funds for his personal benefit, allegedly purchasing a vehicle with the
fraudulent funds amongst other items.
In another matter, U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Alexander Leszczynski (24, North Redington Beach) to 17
years and 6 months in federal prison for three different fraud schemes (one of which including a fraudulent PPP loan) in
which he attempted to obtain more than $10 million from the U.S. government, financial institutions, and individual
victims.
In a case handled by the Civil Division, Victory Automotive Group, Inc. (VAG) agreed to pay $9 million to resolve
allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by providing false information in support of PPP loan forgiveness
application. Only small businesses are eligible for PPP loans. Whether an applicant qualifies as a small business is
determined by assessing the employees, revenues, or net worth of the applicant along with any other corporate affiliates
that share common operational control. VAG’s application for a PPP loan certified it was a small business with fewer than
500 employees. However, VAG shared common operational control with dozens of automobile dealerships across the
country, and VAG and its affiliates had more than 3,000 employees. For that reason, VAG should have known that VAG was
ineligible for the $6,282,362 PPP loan it received, which was later forgiven in full.
Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more
than $17.2 million of EIDL, UI, and PPP funds that were fraudulently obtained, depriving the fraudsters of their ill-gotten
gains and recovering the proceeds for the victims. More than $18 million in additional pandemic fraud proceeds have
been seized and are pending civil or criminal forfeiture.
The Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the
Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent
pandemic-related fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit
https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Through the PPP, the federal government authorized over $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job
retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The EIDL program provides economic relief to small businesses that
are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. The MSLP provided support to small and medium-sized businesses
and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. UI programs provided unemployment
benefits to eligible workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own.
The criminal cases charged by the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force have been investigated by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the
Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Small
Business Administration, the Small Business Administration—Office of Inspector General, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board—Office of Inspector
General, Department of Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, the Metropolitan Bureau of
Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee
County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park
Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County
Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys throughout the Middle District of
Florida.
The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity.
To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (“NCDF”) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online
complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be
reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for
investigation.
United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida
COVID Fraud Criminal Cases
Charged Cases
Intended
Charge(s)
Type of Loss
Defendant(s) (Age)
Fraud*
Max. Imprisonment
Amount
Tampa Division
Wire fraud conspiracy
Alexander Alli EIDL $80k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Wire fraud
Ellyn Pinkney EIDL $40k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Wire fraud
Kieanna Garrett EIDL $40k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Wire fraud
Nicole Bramble-King PPP $40k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 5 years
Wire fraud
Mehdi Tazi UI $1.5M
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
Wire fraud
Modupe Ogundele PPP $20k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Wire fraud
Jalissa McDuffy PPP $41k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Devontaie Deravil UI $480k
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Jordan Ross EIDL/PPP $1.3M
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Wire fraud
Demarius Wilson PPP $18K
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Tiffany Fields,
Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, Jennifer Peresie, and Michael Kenneth
Orlando Division
Evan Edwards Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
PPP $8M
Joshua Edwards Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Visa fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 years
False statements
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Emmet Bowens PPP $740k
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
False Statements
Latresia Wilson HCF $2.6M
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick and Amanda
Daniels
Jacksonville Division
Wire fraud
Deconna Burke PPP $20k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein
Fort Myers Division
Mail fraud
Venera Price ERAP $82k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Wire Fraud (T. Jolloff only)
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Timothy Jolloff
PPP/EIDL $3.4M
Money laundering
Lisa Jolloff
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Bank Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Wire Fraud
Diop McKenzie EIDL/PPP $237K
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated Identity Theft
Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava and Trent
Reichling
Ocala Division
Wire Fraud
Henry Wade EIDL $500k
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Adjudicated Cases
Tampa Division
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Joseph Abdo PPP $500k
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Racketeering conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Keaujay Hornsby UI $3M
Maximum Prison Term: Two
Years Consecutive
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Racketeering conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Kareem Spann UI $3M
Maximum Prison Term: Two
Years Consecutive
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Marqus Willard
PPP $500k
Johnson
Money laundering
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Bank fraud
Charles Cunningham PPP $800k
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Diego Novaes,
Tiffany Fields, Jennifer Peresie, and Greg Pizzo, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon
Orlando Division
Bank Fraud
Joseph Faubert PPP $778k
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
This COVID Fraud case from the Orlando Division is being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt
Jacksonville Division
Wire Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Kenneth Landers PPP $1.4M
Money Laundering
Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Wire fraud
Christopher
PPP $150k
Daragjati Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Theft of government funds
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum: Prison Term: Two
Years Consecutive
These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael
Coolican
Ocala Division
Wire Fraud
Passion Jackson PPP $20K
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
These COVID Fraud cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Fort Myers Division
Bank Fraud
Ismaelle Manuel PPP $280k
Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Wire Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Bank Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Denis Casseus PPP $298k
Wire Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava
Sentenced Cases
Tampa Division
Wire fraud, bank fraud, illegal
monetary transactions
Alexander
PPP $1.1M
Leszczynski
Sentence Imposed: 17 and ½
years in federal prison
Wire Fraud
Louis Thornton, III EIDL/PPP $815k
Sentence Imposed: 42 months in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit access
device fraud and aggravated
identity theft
Kary Stevenson
Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10
UI $1M
months in federal prison
Corey Quinn
(Stevenson)
Sentence Imposed:7 years in
federal prison (Quinn)
Bank fraud
Bridgitte Keim PPP $588k
Sentence Imposed: 2 years in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Wayne Ganaway EIDL $300k
Sentence Imposed: 4 years in
federal prison
Racketeering conspiracy,
aggravated identity theft, access
device fraud
Eriaius Bentley UI $3M
Sentence Imposed: One year in
federal prison
Access device fraud, Aggravated
identity theft
Rolanda Wingfield UI $135k
Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in
federal prison
Racketeering conspiracy,
aggravated identity theft, access
device fraud
Tywon Spann UI $3M
Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9
months in federal prison
Wire fraud, aggravated identity
theft
Randy Jones EIDL/UI $250k
Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1
month in federal prison
Conspiracy to commit money
laundering
Julio Lugo EIDL/PPP $4.4M
Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6
months in federal prison
Conspiracy to commit money
laundering
Keith Nicoletta PPP $1.9M
Sentence Imposed: 24 months in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit money
laundering
Rosenide Venant EIDL/PPP $413k
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Wire fraud and aggravated
Melinda Hernandez identity theft UI $1.5M
Sentence imposed: Three years
and six months in federal prison
Wire fraud and theft of
government funds
Bri’antina Mills $10K
Sentence imposed: 15 months in
federal prison
Wire fraud
Jorge Gutierrez
EIDL $150k
Echeverria Sentence imposed: Two years
and six months in federal prison
Wire fraud
Omar Esquivel Bello EIDL $242k
Sentence imposed: 15 months in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit wire
fraud, wire fraud, aggravated
identity theft
Steve Moodie UI $1.5M
Sentence imposed: 5 years and
10 months in federal prison
Conspiracy to commit money
Richard Simpkins laundering PPP $1.9M
Sentence imposed: 5 years and
10 months in federal prison
Conspiracy to commit wire
fraud, access device fraud
Devaris McClain UI $85K
Sentence imposed: 5 years and 1
month in federal prison
These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany
Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, and SAUSA Chris Poor
Orlando Division
Conspiracy to commit wire
fraud, aggravated identity theft,
unlawful transfer of firearm
Daniel Johnson UI $2.3M
Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6
months in federal prison
Possession of short-barreled
Jacquavius Smith PPP $10k
rifle; felon in possession of
firearm; and aggravated identity
theft
Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1
month in federal prison
Wire fraud
Johnson Eustache EIDL/PPP $2.2M
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Joseph Harrison UI $2.1M
Sentence Imposed: 12 months in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit bank
fraud; bank fraud; aggravated
identity theft
Tomas Ziupsnys PPP $2M
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit bank
Holly Urban fraud PPP $1.5M
Sentence Imposed: 30 months in
federal prison
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
and other offenses while on
pretrial release
Joel Greenberg EIDL $430k
Sentence Imposed: 11 years in
federal prison
Wire fraud, illegal monetary
transactions, and aggravated
Don Cisternino
identity theft
PPP $7.2M
Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6
months in federal prison
Conspiracy to commit wire
fraud, wire fraud, aggravated
identity theft
Keith Ingersoll EIDL $66k
Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1
month in federal prison.
Access device fraud and
aggravated identity theft
Jaheim Davis UI $219k
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6
months in federal prison.
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
and other offenses
Teresa McIntyre EIDL $730k
Sentence Imposed: 5 years’
probation
Possession of device-making
equipment, access device fraud,
aggravated identity theft
Brian Blake PPP/UI $832k
Sentence Imposed: 9 years and 8
months in federal prison
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels,
Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, Shannon Laurie, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg
Jacksonville Division
Wire fraud
Jacob Byrd PPP $10k
Sentence Imposed: probation
Wire fraud conspiracy, wire
fraud
Desmond Williams PPP $40k
Sentenced Imposed: 5 years’
probation
This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division was handled by AUSA Kevin Frein
Fort Myers Division
Bank fraud, false statement to a
financial institution, illegal
monetary transaction
Casey Crowther PPP $2.7M
Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1
month in federal prison
Anthony Bruey
Conspiracy to commit wire
PPP/EIDL $881k
fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to
Amber Bruey
commit money laundering,
illegal monetary transactions
Sentence Imposed:
Anthony Bruey: 4 years, 3
months in federal prison
Amber Bruey: 4 years in federal
prison
False statement to a lending
institution
Edrica Leann Watson PPP $392k
Sentence Imposed: 15 months in
federal prison
Wire fraud, bank fraud, money
laundering, aggravated identity
theft, possession of ammunition
Daniel Joseph Tisone by a prohibited person PPP/EIDL/MSLP $10.7M
Sentence Imposed: 7 years in
federal prison
Wire fraud
Liliana Gonzalez Sentence Imposed: 5 years of PPP $169k
probation with 18 months of
home confinement
Bank fraud
Al Clint LaRoche PPP $1M
Sentence Imposed: Two years in
federal prison
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs Trent Reichling, Michael
Leeman, and Jesus M. Casas
Ocala Division
Wire Fraud
Lavelle Harris Sentence Imposed: Two years PPP $1.2M
and three months in federal
prison
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Types of Fraud*
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Unemployment Insurance (UI)
Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)
Health Care Fraud (HCF)
Updated October 17, 2023
Topics
CORONAVIRUS
DISASTER FRAUD
FINANCIAL FRAUD
Component
USAO - Florida, Middle
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