Tampa Man Sentenced To 30 Months In Federal Prison For COVID-19 Fraud
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida dated Thursday, February 16, 2023, announcing that U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle sentenced Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria, 34, of Tampa to two years and six months in federal prison for wire fraud and ordered him to forfeit $149,900. It states that he pleaded guilty on August 11, 2022. According to the release, in July 2020 he falsely claimed in a federal Covid-19 funding application to be the sole proprietor of a business suffering economic injury, denied his two felony convictions, and submitted a fraudulent 2018 tax return as purported proof of the business.
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Press Release Tampa Man Sentenced To 30 Months In Federal Prison For COVID-19 Fraud Thursday, February 16, 2023 For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria (34, Tampa) to two years and six months in federal prison for wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent receipt of Covid-19 funds. The court also ordered Gutierrez Echeverria to forfeit $149,900, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Gutierrez Echeverria had pleaded guilty on August 11, 2022. According to court documents, in July 2020, Gutierrez Echeverria falsely and fraudulently claimed in a federal application for Covid-19 funding that he was the sole proprietor of a business suffering an economic injury due to the Covid-19 pandemic when in fact Gutierrez Echeverria had no such business. He further claimed that he had no felony convictions when in fact he had two felony convictions. Gutierrez Echeverria submitted a fraudulent 2018 tax return, including a fraudulent Schedule C, in support of his application as purported proof that his claimed business was real. As a result of his false and fraudulent representations, Gutierrez Echeverria received a $149,900 loan to which he was not entitled. He spent the money on extravagant personal expenses. “The Secret Service remains committed to holding individuals accountable that attempt to exploit taxpayer funded pandemic relief programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Engel of the United States Secret Service – Tampa Field Office. “The outcome of this case is the direct result of the coordination with our partners at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.” This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie. Updated February 16, 2023 Topics Coronavirus Tax Disaster Fraud Financial Fraud Component USAO - Florida, Middle Related Content Press Release Jacksonville Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Bank Fraud Involving Stolen Mail Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Frank Anthony Acanda (27, Jacksonville) to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud... February 7, 2025 Press Release Florida Businessman Indicted for Tax Evasion Jacksonville, FL — A federal grand jury in Jacksonville, Florida, returned an indictment yesterday charging a Florida businessman with tax evasion, not filing a tax return and not paying taxes. January 30, 2025 Press Release Former Deputy Sheriff And DEA Task Force Officer Sentenced To More Than 17 Years In Federal Prison For Conspiring To Distribute Narcotics, Defrauding The United States, And Tax Evasion Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced James Darrell Hickox (38, Callahan) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for multiple federal offenses... January 27, 2025
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