Lee County Man Sentenced To Prison For $1.35 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida dated Monday, June 10, 2024, announcing that U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell sentenced Evan Graves, 40, of Alva, to 18 months in federal prison for wire fraud in connection with $1.35 million in COVID-19 relief. It states that he was ordered to forfeit approximately $1,355,600 and five Fort Myers properties bought or funded with the proceeds, and that he pleaded guilty on December 13, 2023. According to the release, between June 20 and July 23, 2020, he submitted 10 Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications for his Fort Myers-based companies, falsely stating their numbers of employees, gross revenues and lost rental income to qualify for large loans and advances.
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Press Release Lee County Man Sentenced To Prison For $1.35 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme Monday, June 10, 2024 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Evan Graves (40, Alva) to 18 months in federal prison for committing wire fraud in connection with a $1.35 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. The court also ordered Graves to forfeit approximately $1,355,600 and five Fort Myers properties he purchased or funded using proceeds of his fraud. Graves entered a guilty plea on December 13, 2023. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted to provide immediate financial assistance to individuals, families, and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This Act authorized the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funding to business owners negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to court documents, between June 20 and July 23, 2020, Graves electronically submitted 10 EIDL applications to the SBA on behalf of his various Fort Myers-based companies. In each EIDL application, Graves falsely represented his companies’ number of employees, gross revenues, and lost rental income due to the COVID-19 disaster to qualify for large loan amounts and advance funding. In total, Graves’s fraudulent representations caused the SBA to approve his 10 loans and deposit approximately $1.35 million into bank accounts controlled by Graves. Following disbursement of the EIDL funding, Graves unlawfully used the money to pay off personal credit card debt, fund personal investment accounts, satisfy mortgages, and purchase real estate. This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Simon Eth and Suzanne Nebesky. Updated June 11, 2024 Topics Coronavirus Disaster Fraud Financial Fraud Component USAO - Florida, Middle Related Content Press Release Orlando Woman Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Wendy Cudemo-Gamez (47, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Cudemo-Gamez faces a... July 17, 2024 Press Release Deltona Woman Pleads Guilty To Stealing Over $66,000 In Social Security Funds Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that April L. Brockman (42, Deltona) has pleaded guilty to theft of government property. Brockman faces a maximum penalty of... July 10, 2024 Press Release Lake County Woman Charged With Conspiracy To Commit Bank Fraud Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Angel Jackson (44, Astatula) with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. If... July 10, 2024
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