Postal Employee Arrested For COVID Relief Fraud
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida dated Wednesday, October 23, 2024, announcing the arrest of Marina Tusca Brooks Stewart, 61, of Groveland, on an indictment charging her with one count of wire fraud related to COVID relief. It states that she faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a forfeiture order of $10,000. According to the release, the SBA offered Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advances that did not need to be repaid for small businesses in low-income communities with a reduction in revenue of more than 30% during an eight-week period. It states that between June 28 and 30, 2020, she applied for an EIDL advance with false representations and received a $10,000 advance. The release title describes her as a postal employee.
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Full text
Press Release Postal Employee Arrested For COVID Relief Fraud Wednesday, October 23, 2024 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the arrest of Marina Tusca Brooks Stewart (61, Groveland) on an indictment charging her with one count of wire fraud related to COVID relief. If convicted, Brooks Stewart faces up to 20 years in federal prison. In addition, she faces a forfeiture order of $10,000, which represents the alleged proceeds she obtained through this offense. According to court documents, during the COVID pandemic, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offered Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advances that did not need to be repaid. The advances were for small businesses that were in low-income communities and received a reduction in revenue of more than 30% during an eight-week period. Between June 28 and 30, 2020, Brooks Stewart devised a scheme to defraud the SBA by electronically applying for an EIDL advance and providing false representations in her application. Afterwards, she fraudulently received a $10,000 EIDL advance. An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk. Updated October 23, 2024 Topics Coronavirus Disaster Fraud Financial Fraud Component USAO - Florida, Middle Related Content Press Release Former Church Records And Finance Manager Sentenced To Federal Prison For Embezzling Over $875,000 Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Heather Darrey (45, Tampa) to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud. As part of her sentence, the court also entered an... November 14, 2024 Press Release Owner And Manager Of Cape Coral Roofing Company Plead Guilty To Tax Fraud Conspiracy Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that William Skaggs, Jr. and Billie Adkison today pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tax fraud. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years... November 7, 2024 Press Release Paroled Felon Sentenced To Six Years For Fraudulent Use Of Social Security Number And Theft Of Benefits Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Kellis Dion Jackson (63, Pinellas Park), a/k/a Chandler Dante Alexander, to six years in federal prison for making a false statement to... November 7, 2024
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- www.justice.gov