The U.S. Department of Justice announced sweeping criminal enforcement actions related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including prosecutions against defendants accused of trying to steal funds from the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, and Unemployment Insurance program. In the last month, the Southern District of Florida has charged 18 federal criminal cases alleging COVID-19/CARES Act–related financial fraud. Read the full news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
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Wayne Rosen, assistant special agent in charge of the Miami field office for the Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, made the following statement:
"To help struggling people and businesses suffering from the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act was enacted to provide emergency financial assistance. The Federal Reserve also used its emergency lending authority to support the economy. Unfortunately, bad actors have targeted this assistance to commit fraud for their personal gain at the expense of those truly in need.
"Today's announcement is the culmination of hard work by numerous agencies. It sends a clear message—federal law enforcement is watching, and will relentlessly pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice.
"We are proud to work with our law enforcement partners in this endeavor. Our office is fully committed to bringing to justice wrongdoers who exploit and defraud the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I want to commend and thank our agents, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, and our federal law enforcement partners for their efforts and dedication in the pursuit of justice."
