Middle District of Florida Task Force continues to prosecute COVID-19 fraud cases

The United States Department of Justice
United States Attorney's Office • Middle District of Florida • Thursday, April 13, 2023

Tampa, Florida – 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, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

“The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the integrity of government programs established to provide relief for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “These cases should serve as a warning to those who might have engaged in similar fraudulent activity that holding those accountable for these crimes remains a high priority for federal authorities.”

The USAO-MDFL’s Civil Division, in conjunction with the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, recently announced a $325,000 settlement with Florida companies Kingwood Orlando Reunion Resort LLC and Kingwood Crystal River Resort Corp. (“Crystal River”) regarding allegations that they violated the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act by knowingly providing false information in support of a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan forgiveness application submitted by Crystal River. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THIS CASE: www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/florida-resorts-agree-pay-325000-settle-false-claims-act-allegations-relating-false.

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 57 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the PPP, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), Unemployment Insurance (“UI”), the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”), and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”). Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $91 million. 43 of those defendants have already been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against 14 defendants.

For example, in February 2023, Keith Ingersoll, 46, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced to 9 years and 1 month in federal prison for a variety of fraud schemes, including a real estate scam and a fraudulent EIDL application. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THIS CASE:
www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/orlando-man-sentenced-more-9-years-prison-fraud-schemes.

Also in February 2023, Daniel Joseph Tisone, 35, of Naples, Florida, was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in federal prison for a variety of COVID-19 fraud offenses. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to forfeit properties, an engagement ring, ammunition, and cash seized from bank accounts, and must pay more than $2.6 million in restitution. Tisone, a convicted felon, submitted false and fraudulent EIDL, MSLP, and PPP loan applications containing false representations, including about his criminal history, average monthly payroll, number of employees, and gross revenues. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ABOUT THIS CASE: www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/naples-felon-sentenced-more-seven-years-26-million-covid-relief-fraud-scheme.

Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $16.8 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 $9.8 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 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 (SBA OIG), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation — Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board – Office of Inspector General, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, 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: 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.

DEFRAUDED PROGRAMS (SEE CASES BELOW)
       Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
       Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
       Unemployment Insurance (UI)
       Main Street Lending Program (MSLP)
       Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

CHARGED CASES

Tampa Division COVID Fraud cases being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, and Jennifer Peresie:

Joseph Abdo
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions - Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP fraud
$500,000 intended loss

Alexander Leszczynski
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Bank fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Illegal monetary transactions - Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP fraud with $200,000 intended loss

Charles Cunningham
Bank fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 30 years
PPP fraud with $800,000 intended loss

Ellyn Pinkney
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL fraud with $14,000,000 intended loss

Kieanna Garrett
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL fraud with $40,000 intended loss

Nicole Bramble-King
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP fraud with $40,000 intended loss

Orlando Division COVID Fraud cases being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, Chauncy Bratt, Shannon Laurie, and Amanda Daniels:

Evan Edwards (with co-defendent 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 fraud with $8,000,000 intended loss

Joshua Edwards (with co-defendent Evan 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 fraud with $8,000,000 intended loss

Emmet Bowens
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Illegal monetary transactions - Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP fraud with $740,000 intended loss

Jacksonville Division COVID Fraud case being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein:

Jacob Byrd
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP fraud with $20,000 intended loss

Fort Myers Division COVID Fraud cases being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava:

Venera Price
Mail fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
ERAP fraud with $82,000 intended loss

Ismaelle Manuel
Bank Fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Wire Fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP fraud with $280,000 intended loss

Denis Casseus
Bank Fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Wire Fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP fraud with $298,000 intended loss

Ocala Division COVID Fraud case being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk:

Henry Wade
Wire Fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL fraud with $500,000 intended loss

ADJUDICATED CASES

Tampa Division COVID Fraud cases being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Diego Novaes, Tiffany Fields, Jennifer Peresie, Greg Pizzo, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon:

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 fraud with $3,000,000 intended loss

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 fraud with $3,000,000 intended loss

Richard Simpkins
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Illegal monetary transactions - Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
PPP fraud with $1,900,000 intended loss

Steve Moodie
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft - Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
UI fraud with $1,500,000 intended loss

Marqus Willard Johnson
Bank fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
Money laundering - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP fraud with $500,000 intended loss

Omar Esquivel Bello
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
EIDL fraud with $242,000 intended loss

Orlando Division COVID Fraud cases being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt, Amanda Daniels, Jennifer Harrington, Shannon Laurie, Dana Hill, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg:

Brian Blake
Possession of device-making equipment - Maximum Prison Term: 15 Years
Access device fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Aggravated identity theft - Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
PPP and UI frauds with $832,000 intended loss

Daniel Johnson
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Aggravated identity theft - Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
Unlawful transfer of firearm - Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years
UI fraud with $2,300,000 intended loss

Teresa McIntyre
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses - Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years
EIDL fraud with $730,000 intended loss

Jaheim Davis
Access device fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years
Aggravated identity theft - Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive
UI fraud with $219,000 intended loss

Jacksonville Division COVID Fraud cases being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican:

Desmond Williams
Wire fraud conspiracy - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Wire fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
PPP fraud with $40,000 intended loss

Kenneth Landers
Wire Fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years
Money Laundering - Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
PPP fraud with $1,400,000 intended loss

Fort Myers Division COVID Fraud case being handled by AUSA Trent Reichling:

Al Clint LaRoche
Bank Fraud - Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years
PPP fraud with $1,000,000 intended loss

SENTENCED CASES

Tampa Division COVID Fraud cases handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, and SAUSA Chris Poor:

Louis Thornton, III
Wire Fraud - Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison
EIDL and PPP fraud with $815,000 intended loss

Kary Stevenson (co-defendent Corey Quinn)
Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison
UI fraud with $1,000,000 intended loss

Corey Quinn (co-defendent Kary Stevenson)
Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison
UI fraud with $1,000,000 intended loss

Bridgitte Keim
Bank fraud - Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison
PPP fraud with $588,000 intended loss

Wayne Ganaway
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison
EIDL fraud with $300,000 intended loss

Eriaius Bentley
Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison
UI fraud with $3,000,000 intended loss

Rolanda Wingfield
Access device fraud, Aggravated identity theft
Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison
UI fraud with $135,000 intended loss

Tywon Spann
Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft and access device fraud
Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison
UI fraud with $3,000,000 intended loss

Randy Jones
Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison
EIDL and UI fraud with $250,000 intended loss

Julio Lugo
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison
EIDL and PPP fraud with $4,400,000 intended loss

Keith Nicoletta
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison
PPP fraud with $1,900,000 intended loss

Rosenide Venant
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
EIDL and PPP fraud with $413,000 intended loss

Melinda Hernandez
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Wire fraud and aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison
UI fraud with $1,500,000 intended loss

Bri’antina Mills
Wire fraud and theft of government funds
Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison
EIDL fraud with $10,000 intended loss

Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria
Wire fraud
Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison
EIDL fraud with $150,000 intended loss

Orlando Division COVID Fraud cases handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg:

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 fraud with $10,000 intended loss

Johnson Eustache
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
EIDL and PPP fraud with $2,200,000 intended loss

Joseph Harrison
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison
UI fraud with $2,100,000 intended loss

Tomas Ziupsnys
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison
PPP fraud with $2,000,000 intended loss

Holly Urban
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud
Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison
PPP fraud with $1,500,000 intended loss

Joel Greenberg
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release
Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison
EIDL fraud with $430,000 intended loss

Don Cisternino
Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft
Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison
PPP fraud with $7,200,000 intended loss

Keith Ingersoll
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft
Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison.
EIDL fraud with $66,000 intended loss

Fort Myers Division COVID Fraud cases handled by AUSA Trent Reichling and AUSA Jesus M. Casas:

Casey Crowther
Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction
Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison
PPP fraud with $2,000,000 intended loss

Anthony Bruey (co-defendent Amber Bruey)
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and illegal monetary transactions
Sentence Imposed: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison
PPP/EIDL fraud with $881,000 intended loss

Amber Bruey (co-defendent Anthony Bruey)
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and illegal monetary transactions
Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison
PPP/EIDL fraud with $881,000 intended loss

Edrica Leann Watson
False statement to a lending institution
Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison
PPP fraud with $392,000 intended loss

Daniel Joseph Tisone
Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person
Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison
PPP, EIDL and MSLP fraud with $10,700,000 intended loss

Liliana Gonzalez
Wire fraud
Sentence Imposed: 5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement
PPP fraud with $169,000 intended loss

Ocala Division COVID Fraud case handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk:

Lavelle Harris
Wire Fraud
Sentence Imposed: 27 months in federal prison
PPP fraud with $1,200,000 intended loss