Category Archives: Fraud

Covid-19 Relief Fraud Potentially Totals $100 Billion, Secret Service Says

The U.S. Secret Service said that nearly $100 billion has potentially been stolen from COVID-19 relief programs designed to help individuals and businesses harmed by the pandemic. The funds have “attracted the attention of individuals and organized criminal networks” world-wide, … Continue reading

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NC man’s seminars on defrauding the IRS cost the government $38 million, feds say

Mehef Bey, who went by the alias Arthur Daniels, traveled the country recruiting people to file bogus tax returns seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds from the Internal Revenue Service, according to federal prosecutors. He succeeding in recruiting … Continue reading

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Financial Adviser Barred by SEC, Files for Bankruptcy

A former financial adviser barred from the industry over accusations he defrauded clients has filed for bankruptcy. Michael F. Shillin filed for chapter 7 at the end of November in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. He … Continue reading

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Illinois Attorney Sentenced to 2 Years on Bankruptcy Fraud Charges

Kevin Johnson (aka “K.O. Johnson”) of Sycamore, Illinois, was sentenced to spend 2 years in federal prison for bankruptcy fraud. Johnson was found guilty in August on four counts of bankruptcy fraud, one count of making a false entry in … Continue reading

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Former AME Zion Church Leaders Charged with $14 Million Fraud

Charged with defrauding California congregations by mortgaging their properties, Staccato Powell of Wake Forest, NC, and Sheila Quintana of Vallejo, CA obtained $14 million in loans that were used for personal expenses. The pair were named in a federal indictment … Continue reading

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U.S. Gave $3.7 Billion in Relief to Likely Ineligible Businesses, Auditor Finds

A rushed emergency aid program for small businesses affected by the pandemic improperly sent nearly $3.7 billion to recipients prohibited from receiving federal funds, according to a government audit. The Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program distributed more … Continue reading

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Florida Man Gets 6 Month Sentence for COVID Relief Fraud

A Florida man who lied to get a low-interest COVID-19 relief loan has been sentenced to six months in federal prison. Willy Curry pleaded guilty in August to wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent application to the U.S. Small … Continue reading

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North Carolina tax preparer sent to prison for fraud conspiracy

Court documents and statements made in court show that from 2012 to 2017, Andrea Pasley and two others conspired to prepare fraudulent tax returns. They claimed false education credits or dependents or manipulated their clients’ income to qualify for larger … Continue reading

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L.A. Man Admits Fraudulently Obtaining $9 Million in COVID-19 Loans

A Los Angeles man has pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining $9 million in loans from COVID-relief programs, some of which he transferred to his stock trading accounts and used for gambling trips to Las Vegas, federal prosecutors said. Andrew Marnell … Continue reading

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Former NFL Players Plead Guilty to Healthcare Fraud

Clinton Portis was among three former National Football League players who have pleaded guilty for their roles in a nationwide scheme to defraud a healthcare program for retired NFL players, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Portis, a former running … Continue reading

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