Investigative Press Releases
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
A Minnesota man who participated in a scheme to defraud the United States out of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) funds, and conspired to launder funds from over $1.2 million in illegally obtained loan funds, pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City.
Donald Franklin Trosin, age 56, from Champlin, Minnesota, formerly of Armstrong, Iowa, was convicted of one count of major fraud against the United States and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
Friday, February 12, 2021
SAVANNAH, GA: A Florida man who operated a durable medical equipment company has been sentenced to federal prison for participating in a commercial bribery conspiracy that involved a health care program.
Friday, February 12, 2021
BOSTON – The former Chief Operating Officer of Global Premier Soccer (GPS), a now defunct youth soccer organization formerly based in Waltham, Mass., was charged today in connection with a wide-ranging visa fraud conspiracy.
Justin Capell, 39, of Southborough, Mass., was charged and has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the court.
Friday, February 12, 2021
“We allege Miranda Devlin committed serial fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “Among the schemes alleged in the complaint, Devlin used a shell company to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program, known as PPP, out of pandemic relief funds. PPP funds provide a critically important safety net for legitimate businesses suffering real losses. Anyone considering PPP fraud should know law enforcement is watching, and federal prosecution can follow.”
Thursday, February 11, 2021
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Liberty County, Texas, man and woman have been indicted for filing hundreds of fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications with the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
PITTSBURGH, PA- A resident of Arnold, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today to a charge of fraud, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Tracy Ann Stankiewicz, age 49, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior U.S. District Judge David S. Cercone.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that from June 6, 2020 and continuing thereafter until July 12, 2020, Stankiewicz committed fraud in connection with emergency benefits.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Miami, Fl. – A Florida man pleaded guilty for fraudulently obtaining approximately $3.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and using those funds, in part, to purchase a $318,000 Lamborghini sports car for himself.
Authorities seized the Lamborghini and $3.4 million from the bank accounts of David T. Hines, 29, of Miami, at the time of his arrest. Hines pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean M. Andre, age 30, of Brooklyn, New York, appeared in court today on a complaint alleging that he worked with an Ulster County man to fraudulently obtain more than $4 million in government-backed loans meant for businesses struggling with the financial effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, of the Northern District of West Virginia, has announced his resignation effective midnight on February 28, 2021.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
TEXARKANA, Texas – A Texarkana, Texas, doctor has pleaded guilty today to a federal fraud violation, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Dr. Rafael Otero, 68, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with defrauding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven. In his plea agreement, Dr. Otero agreed to pay restitution to HUD.