17 Broward Sheriff's Office employees charged with COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud
FORT LAUDERDALE - Federal investigators, along with the Broward Sheriff's Office held a Thursday afternoon press conference to announce federal criminal fraud charges against 17 BSO employees.
The charges stem from a COVID-19 pandemic relief programs that offered assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, as well as other crimes relating to the pandemic, federal officials said.
"Collectively, the charges allege that 17 defendants participated in independent schemes to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and participating lenders by fraudulently applying for loans and other relief through the PPP and EIDL program."
"Today's announcement regarding federal charges against more than a dozen Broward Sheriff's Office employees is the culmination of a BSO-initiated Office of Inspector General investigation. The investigation began in November 2021, after the BSO Office of Inspector General became aware of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud as an emerging trend within public service agencies," said BSO Sheriff Gregory Tony.
"Shortly thereafter, the BSO Public Corruption Unit received a tip from a BSO employee that several employees may have committed PPP fraud. After being notified that BSO personnel may have participated in fraudulent schemes to defraud the federal government, I ordered an agency-wide investigation of all 5,600 employees - from top to bottom."
"BSO Public Corruption Unit detectives determined more than 100 employees had submitted applications for the PPP loans. Only the employees who did not obtain the loans legally were subject to criminal investigation. To ensure a thorough and objective investigation was conducted, BSO sought out and partnered with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Federal Reserve Board Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For five years, I've maintained an organization committed to transparency and accountability. I will continue to expect integrity and commitment to excellence from every BSO employee."
Officials said that in total, the defendants allegedly received $495,171 in assistance unlawfully and used the proceeds to unjustly enrich themselves.
"This investigation sends a message to individuals who knowingly and illicitly capitalized on the COVID-19 national emergency to enrich themselves through the CARES Act at the expense of struggling businesses and their employees," said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. "While these programs have ended, our commitment to seeking out those who defrauded them has not."
The following are the defendants and the charges they are facing:
U.S. v. Stephanie Diane Smith, Case No. 23-mj-6477-PMH
On Oct. 11, Stephanie Diane Smith, 53, of Florida, was charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud.
According to the complaint affidavit, Smith applied for and received two PPP loans on behalf of herself as a sole proprietor doing business as Children 1st Basketball Training and Agape Smith Vending, respectively, based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax form submitted with her applications. The complaint further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Smith sought forgiveness of the PPP loans she received. According to the complaint, Smith has been employed by BSO since approximately 1996 and held the title of Deputy Sheriff in BSO's Department of Law Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Snider is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Katrina Brown, Case No. 23-cr-60169-Altman
On Sept. 14, Katrina Brown, 46, of Florida, was charged by indictment with three counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Brown applied for and received two PPP loans on behalf of herself as a sole proprietor, based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with her applications. In addition, Brown submitted an application to the SBA for an EIDL that contained materially false information, including, among other things, the borrower's gross revenues, cost of goods sold, and number of employees.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Jones is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Alexandra Acosta, Case No. 23-cr-60170-Scola
On Sept. 14, Alexandra Acosta, 37, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Acosta applied for and received a PPP loan on behalf of herself as a sole proprietor, based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with her application.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Jones is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. La'Keitha Victoria Lawhorn, Case No. 23-cr-60171-Bloom
On Sept. 14, La'Keitha Victoria Lawhorn, 41, of Florida, was charged by indictment with three counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Lawhorn applied for and received three PPP loans on behalf of herself and her company, Home Empire Enterprises, LLC, based upon materially false information about the borrower's average monthly payroll and annual gross receipts, as well as falsified IRS tax forms submitted with her applications. The indictment further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Lawhorn sought forgiveness of the fraudulent PPP loans she received.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Snider is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Jewell Farrell Johnson, Case No. 23-cr-60172-Martinez
On Sept. 14, Jewell Farrell Johnson, 46, of Florida, was charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Johnson applied for and received two PPP loans, one on behalf of herself as a sole proprietor and one on behalf of LRJ Enterprises of South Florida, based upon materially false information about the borrower's average monthly payroll, as well as falsified IRS tax forms submitted with her applications. The indictment further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Johnson sought forgiveness of the fraudulent PPP loans she received. Additionally, Johnson allegedly applied for a loan through the EIDL program for her company, G.I.G Productions LLC, based upon materially false information about the borrower's annual gross revenue in 2019.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Snider is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Carolyn Denise Wade, Case No. 23-cr-60173-Williams
On Sept. 14, Carolyn Denise Wade, 48, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Wade applied for and received a PPP loan on behalf of herself as a sole proprietor based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with her application. The indictment further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Wade sought forgiveness of the PPP loan she received.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Snider is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Rorie Brown, Case No. 23-cr-60174-Williams
On Sept. 14, Rorie Brown, 42, of Florida, was charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Brown applied for and received one PPP loan on behalf of himself as the sole proprietor, based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2020, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application. In addition, Brown submitted an application to the SBA for an EIDL that contained materially false information, including, among other things, the borrower's gross revenues, cost of goods sold, and number of employees.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Jones is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Alexis Monique Greene, Case No. 23-cr-60182-Dimitrouleas
On Sept. 28, Alexis Monique Greene, 47, of Florida, was charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Greene applied for and received two PPP loans based upon materially false information about the borrower's gross income and purpose for the loan, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with her applications. The indictment further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Greene sought forgiveness of the PPP loans she received.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Ritchie Noah Dubuisson, Case No. 23-cr-60183-Martinez
On Sept. 28, Ritchie Noah Dubuisson, 25, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Dubuisson applied for and received a PPP loan based upon materially false information about the borrower's gross income and purpose for the loan, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application. The indictment further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Dubuisson sought forgiveness of the PPP loan he received.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Keshondra Tameisha Davis, Case No. 23-cr-60184-Altman
On Sept. 28, Keshondra Tameisha Davis, 37, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Davis applied for and received a PPP loan based upon materially false information about the borrower's gross income for the year 2019 and purpose for the loan, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with her application. The indictment further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Davis sought forgiveness of the PPP loans she received.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Klco is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Allen Dorvil, Case No. 23-cr-60185-Moore
On Sept. 28, Allen Dorvil, 33, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Dorvil applied for and received a PPP loan based upon materially false information about the borrower's gross income and purpose for the loan, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application. The indictment further alleges that, as part of the fraud scheme, Dorvil sought forgiveness of the PPP loan he received.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Jean Pierre-Toussant, Case No. 23-cr-60189-Moore
On Oct. 5, Jean Pierre-Toussant, 35, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Pierre-Toussant applied for and received one PPP loan on behalf of himself as a sole proprietor based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha Mitrani is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Kleo is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Ancy Morancy, Case No. 23-cr-60191-Bloom
On Oct. 5, Ancy Morancy, 33, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Morancy applied for and received one PPP loan on behalf of himself as the sole proprietor of Moore Services Investment Group, LLC, based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha Mitrani is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Marcus Errol Powell, Case No. 23-cr-60192-Gayles
On Oct. 5, Marcus Errol Powell, 37, of Florida, was charged by indictment with one count of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Powell applied for and received one PPP loan on behalf of himself as the sole proprietor of Bonvivant Industries, LLC, based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2020, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha Mitrani is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jorge Delgado is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Derrick J. Nesbitt, Case No. 23-cr-60193-Huck
On Oct. 5, Derrick J. Nesbitt, 46, of Florida, was charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Nesbitt applied for and received two PPP loans on behalf of himself as the sole proprietor of Designer Life, LLC, based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertha Mitrani is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. Keith Dunkley, Case No. 23-cr-60197-Smith
On Oct. 6, Keith Dunkley, 46, of Florida, was charged by information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to the information, Dunkley conspired to cause the submission of false and fraudulent applications and received funds for one PPP loan and one EIDL on behalf of himself as a sole proprietor and for Global Group Alliances, LLC, which applications included materially false information about, among other things, the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Trevor Jones is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Marx Calderon is handling asset forfeiture.
U.S. v. George Anthony III, Case No. 23-cr-80168-Cannon
On Sept. 14, George Anthony III, 50, of Florida, was charged by indictment with two counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Anthony applied for and received one PPP loan on behalf of himself as a sole proprietor based upon materially false information about the borrower's total gross business income for the year 2019, as well as a falsified IRS tax form submitted with his application. In addition, Anthony unsuccessfully applied for a second PPP loan using the same false information.
The maximum sentence for a wire fraud conviction is 20 years in prison. The maximum sentence for a conspiracy to commit wire fraud conviction, as charged, is 5 years in prison. A federal district court judge would determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Attorney Brian Silber represents three of the deputies.
"This is as very unfortunate situation," Silber said while leaving federal court. "I will tell you everybody is innocent until proven guilty in this country. Everybody's entitled to due process," he said.
The International Union of Police Associations, the I.U.P.A put out a statement:
"Statement from International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.) Local 6020"
"The International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.) Local 6020 is aware of the investigation surrounding multiple employees. Currently, we are not privy to all of the investigative facts. Regardless, employees and all citizens are entitled to and shall receive due process through the court system. The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) is a large agency and contains approximately 5,500 employees. Many of these approximately 5,500 employees risk their lives daily and some unfortunately pay the ultimate sacrifice with the loss of their own lives in their effort protecting the community. The men and women all around BSO work tirelessly to keep the citizens of Broward County safe and are proud to come to work daily to protect and serve."
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721.
