A Georgia man has been sentenced to greater than 5 years in federal jail for organizing a scheme to steal practically $2 million in authorities support supposed to assist companies in the course of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brunswick, Georgia– A Georgia man was sentenced Monday to greater than 5 years in federal jail for organizing a scheme to steal practically $2 million in authorities support supposed to assist companies climate the coronavirus pandemic.
A U.S. District Courtroom choose in Brunswick sentenced 41-year-old Bernard Okogie after a jury convicted him in March on fraud and conspiracy prices.
Prosecutors say Okogie submitted dozens of functions for himself and others to obtain COVID-19 aid funds in 2020 and 2021, however not one of the corporations talked about within the functions existed.
Prosecutors stated the federal government paid Okogie and his accomplices greater than $1.9 million, which they used to purchase a house and autos in addition to luxurious purchasing journeys and a toy canine. Authorities stated Okogie was carrying practically $40,000 in money after they arrested him as he tried to depart the USA.
Choose Lisa Godby Wooden ordered Okogie to repay $1.9 million in addition to serve 64 months in jail.
“Bernard Okogie devised a fancy and far-reaching scheme to steal federal funding with the objective of offering aid to small companies struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic,” U.S. Legal professional Jill Steinberg of the Southern District of Georgia stated in a information launch. “This ruling imposes a powerful measure of accountability for these blatant acts of fraud.”
Okogie was not alone. An Related Press evaluation discovered hundreds of suspicious schemes wherein fraudsters seemingly stole greater than $280 billion in COVID-19 aid funding, because the U.S. authorities sought to rapidly distribute support in the course of the pandemic.
(Tags for translation)Prisons