When the Panic was being ginned up in 2020, the feds arrange so-called COVID-19 “relief” applications. Suddenly the federal government was indiscriminately doling out lots of of billions, if not trillions, of {dollars} to individuals adversely affected by the federal government’s hysterical Faucist overreactions.
How typical is that: the federal government creates an issue, then throws cash to ameliorate the ache their very own disastrous insurance policies created.
In the case of COVID welfare, although, the feds might as nicely have blown a canine whistle that solely fraudsters might hear, as a result of some days it looks like half the inhabitants has labored one kind of rip-off or one other with one or one other of those eminently scammable applications.
From studying indictments, I’ve discovered about, amongst different issues, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. And Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which isn’t to be confused with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). And don’t neglect the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
Economic damage? All the above hustles, and little question others, have been ripped off greater than considerably. To put it in native phrases, Monica Cannon-Grant was not the one hustler who seen her alternatives and took ‘em.
If these grifts, flim-flams and cons get any worse, the FBI might should shift over some brokers from their two largest legal divisions – those charged with framing Republicans and with surveilling offended mother and father who go to native college board conferences.
Let’s go over some current COVID rip-off headlines, this one from Connecticut:
“Indictment Charges Former State Rep, 3 Others, with Stealing West Haven’s COVID Relief Funds.”
In case you had been questioning, the solon was a Democrat, Michael DiMassa. He additionally had a hack job with town when the feds allege he and his fellow Democrats had been stealing greater than $1.2 million in federal funds.
But this rampant fraud is bipartisan. Take Sean Pierre Jackson, a failed West Palm Beach Republican defender of Gov. Ron DeSantis. He’s simply been accused of bilking the feds out of $816,000.
I all the time surprise how a lot due diligence due the feds did earlier than they began sending out these six- or seven-figure checks. Jackson described himself as “undoubtedly the quintessential all-American statesman,” so … case closed.
But what about Juliana Martins, 53, of North Providence? This jailbird had already pleaded responsible to fraud earlier than making use of for, amongst different panic-related applications, EIDL, FFCRA and CARES.
At the time of her recidivist grift, she was on federal supervised launch in a stolen identification refund scheme, in addition to on state probation for forgery and counterfeiting. She additionally uncared for to say her $385,533 restitution order.
“As part of the application process, she provided false explanation as to her gaps in employment while serving her federal sentence, claiming she was unemployed due to a ‘family emergency.’ ”
The feds gave her a $265,109 mortgage.
Then there’s Tiffany Pacheco, a/ok/a Tiffany Tavery, age 36, of New Bedford. This one’s on Gov. Charlie Baker, whose Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) employed her “shortly after her release from federal prison following a conviction for aggravated identity theft.”
What might presumably go improper?
Soon she was submitting “fraudulent PUA claim information on behalf of herself and her husband, Arthur Pacheco, who was incarcerated in Texas and thus ineligible for PUA funds.”
The hack con girl been ordered to repay $199,555, which she grabbed alongside along with her husband and the lady she put answerable for the grift after she was lugged.
COVID fraud turned such a strong business that after she was again in jail, Pacheco might refer her co-conspirator “to a Google Drive account that contained the images of drivers’ licenses and other documents under certain stolen identities.”
Then there’s Lilly Nguyen, 25, of Stoneham. She pleaded responsible to stealing $526,423 in PUA funds from CARE. She acquired two years for pocketing a half million bucks. Not dangerous! The odds of her making the restitution ordered by the decide are slim, fats and none.
Meet Moustapha Diakhate, 46, recognized by the feds as a resident of Stamford, Conn. He pleaded responsible “to offenses related to receipt of more than $4 million in COVID-19 relief funds.”
Four million bucks! Is this an important nation or what, Moustapha?
Keishon Brown, 33, of Providence, goes to jail for stealing $62,084 “in benefits he was not entitled to.”
Not entitled to? Who says Keishon’s not entitled?
Here are some newer headlines about COVID scammers round New England:
“Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Fraud, Identity Theft, Firearm and Drug Offenses.”
“Stoughton Man Arrested for $400,000 COVID-Relief Fraud.”
“Former Keene man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Obtaining CARES Act Funds.”
“Springfield Woman Pleads Guilty to Unemployment Fraud Related to COVID-19 Pandemic.”
“East Providence Man Alleged to Have Fraudulently Applied for 8 COVID Relief Business Loans.”
It’s all the time been stated that no matter authorities taxes, it will get much less of. Right now, that will be gainful employment, child system and home power.
Conversely, no matter the federal government subsidizes, it will get extra of. In Dementia Joe Biden’s America, that will be fraud.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”