Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force: Results Achieved — Task Force Indicted 26 COVID-19 Fraud Related Cases

Summary

In a release dated January 17, 2024, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg announces results of the Middle District of Florida's efforts to combat COVID-19 fraud. The release states that since the Task Force was formed in March 2020 the Task Force has prosecuted 77 defendants, who collectively sought to defraud the United States of over $85 million; Fifty-six have been found guilty and prosecution remains pending against 21. In fiscal year 2023 the Task Force indicted 26 COVID-19 fraud related cases, and the Asset Recovery Division has completed forfeiture of more than $20 million, with more than $18 million in additional proceeds seized. Examples include Denis Casseus, sentenced to two years in federal prison for bank fraud, and Vitalii Chychasov, sentenced to eight years.

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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 77 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 $85 million. Fifty-six of those defendants have already been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against 21 defendants. (
See chart for criminal case details
.) In fiscal year 2023, the Task Force indicted 26 COVID-19 fraud related cases in which defendants sought to obtain more than $15 million from the various federal programs.
For example, in October 2023, U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced
Denis Casseus
to two years in federal prison for bank fraud and an illegal monetary transaction. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $298,875, the proceeds of the bank fraud. According to court documents, Casseus submitted two fraudulent PPP applications, in which he falsely represented that the PPP funds would be used only for business-related purposes, as specified in the loan applications. Instead, Casseus used a portion of the fraudulent-obtained money for the purchase a residence in Cape Coral.
In a separate matter, United States District Judge Kathryn Mizelle sentenced
Vitalii Chychasov
to eight years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and trafficking in unauthorized access devices. Chychasov was an administrator of a series of websites that sold Social Security numbers. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic to and purchases on the website increased dramatically due to individuals purchasing Social Security numbers and other personal information in order to commit COVID-19 fraud, primarily unemployment insurance fraud.
Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $20 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 U.S. Attorney General has 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, 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, 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
Defendant(s) (Age)
Charge(s)
Max. Imprisonment
Type of Fraud*
Intended Loss
Amount
Tampa Division
Alexander Alli
Wire fraud conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL
$80k
Ellyn Pinkney
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL
$40k
Kieanna Garrett
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL
$40k
Nicole Bramble-King
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP
$40k
a=""> Mehdi Tazi
Conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 5 years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
UI
$1.5M
Modupe Ogundele
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP
$20k
Devontaie Deravil
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
UI
$480k
Jordan Ross
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
EIDL/PPP
$1.3M
Demarius Wilson
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP
$18k
Tommy Louisville
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP
$33k
Dawn Ogundele
Theft of government funds
Maximum Prison Term: 10 years
False statement to obtain federal employees’ compensation
Maximum Prison Term: 5 years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP
$20k
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
Joshua Edwards
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
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
PPP
$8M
Emmet Bowens
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP
$740k
Latresia Wilson
False statements
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
HCF
$2.6M
These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, Amanda Daniels, and DOJ Trial Attorney Keith Clouser
Jacksonville Division
James Wigg
Wire Fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 years
PPP
$476k
This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division is being handled by AUSA Tysen Duva
Fort Myers Division
Venera Price
Mail fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
ERAP
$82k
Timothy Jolloff
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Money laundering
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP/EIDL
$2.1M
Lisa Jolloff
Money laundering
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP/EIDL
Diop McKenzie
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
EIDL/PPP
$237k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSAs Yolande Viacava and Trent Reichling
Ocala Division
Henry Wade
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL
$500k
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Adjudicated Cases
Tampa Division
Joseph Abdo
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP
$500k
Keaujay Hornsby
Racketeering conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
UI
$3M
Kareem Spann
Racketeering conspiracy
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
Access device fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
UI
$3M
Marqus Willard Johnson
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Money laundering
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP
$500k
Charles Cunningham
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
PPP
$800k
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
Joseph Faubert
Bank fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
PPP
$778k
This COVID Fraud case from the Orlando Division is being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt
Jacksonville Division
Christopher Daragjati
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Theft of government funds
Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Aggravated identity theft
Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
PPP
$150k
This COVID Fraud case from the Jacksonville Division is being handled by AUSAs Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican
Ocala Division
Passion Jackson
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP
$20K
This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division is being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk
Fort Myers Division
Evan Graves
Wire fraud
Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL
$1.3M
This COVID Fraud case from the Fort Myers Division is being handled by AUSAs Yolande Viacava and Simon Eth
Sentenced Cases
Tampa Division
Alexander Leszczynski
Wire fraud, bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions
Sentence Imposed: 17 and ½ years in federal prison
PPP
$1.1M
Louis Thornton, III
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison
EIDL/PPP
$815k
Kary Stevenson
Corey Quinn
Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson)
Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn)
UI
$1M
Bridgitte Keim
Bank fraud
Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison
PPP
$588k
Wayne Ganaway
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison
EIDL
$300k
Eriaius Bentley
Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison
UI
$3M
Rolanda Wingfield
Access device fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison
UI
$135k
Tywon Spann
Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison
UI
$3M
Randy Jones
Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison
EIDL/UI
$250k
Julio Lugo
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison
EIDL/PPP
$4.4M
Keith Nicoletta
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison
PPP
$1.9M
Rosenide Venant
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
EIDL/PPP
$413k
Melinda Hernandez
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud,
wire fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison
UI
$1.5M
Bri’antina Mills
Wire fraud and theft of government funds
Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison
EIDL
$10K
Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria
Wire fraud
Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison
EIDL
$150k
Omar Esquivel Bello
Wire fraud
Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison
EIDL
$242k
Steve Moodie
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison
UI
$1.5M
Richard Simpkins
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence imposed: 5 years and 10 months in federal prison
PPP
$1.9M
Devaris McClain
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud
Sentence imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison
UI
$85K
Jalissa McDuffy
Wire fraud
Sentence imposed: 3 years supervised release with 6 months home detention
PPP
$41k
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
Daniel Johnson
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, unlawful transfer of firearm
Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 6 months in federal prison
UI
$2.3M
Jacquavius Smith
Possession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison
PPP
$10k
Johnson Eustache
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
EIDL/PPP
$2.2M
Joseph Harrison
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison
UI
$2.1M
Tomas Ziupsnys
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
PPP
$2M
Holly Urban
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison
PPP
$1.5M
Joel Greenberg
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release
Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison
EIDL
$430k
Don Cisternino
Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison
PPP
$7.2M
Keith Ingersoll
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison.
EIDL
$66k
Jaheim Davis
Access device fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: 3 years, 6 months in federal prison.
UI
$219k
Teresa McIntyre
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses
Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation
EIDL
$730k
Brian Blake
Possession of device-making equipment, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 9 years and 8 months in federal prison
PPP/UI
$832k
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
Jacob Byrd
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP
$10k
Deconna Burke
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP
$20k
Desmond Williams
Wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud
Sentenced Imposed: 5 years’ probation
PPP
$40k
Kenneth Landers
Wire fraud and illegal monetary transaction
Sentence Imposed: 1 year in federal prison followed by 1 year of supervised release
PPP
$1.4M
These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division were handled by AUSAs Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican
Fort Myers Division
Casey Crowther
Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction
Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison
PPP
$2.7M
Anthony Bruey
Amber Bruey
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, illegal monetary transactions
Sentence Imposed
:
Anthony Bruey
:
4 years, 3 months in federal prison
Amber Bruey
:
4 years in federal prison
PPP/EIDL
$881k
Edrica Leann Watson
False statement to a lending institution
Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison
PPP
$392k
Daniel Joseph Tisone
Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person
Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison
PPP/EIDL/MSLP
$10.7M
Liliana Gonzalez
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed:  5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement
PPP
$169k
Al Clint LaRoche
Bank fraud
Sentence Imposed: Two years in federal prison
PPP
$1M
Denis Casseus
Bank fraud and illegal monetary transaction
Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison followed by 3 years supervised release
PPP
$298k
Ismaelle Manuel
Bank fraud
Sentence Imposed: Credit for time served followed by 5 years supervised release
PPP
$280k
These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSAs
Trent Reichling, Michael Leeman, Jesus Casas, and Yolande Viacava
Ocala Division
Lavelle Harris
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: Two years and three months in federal prison
PPP
$1.2M
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)

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