Middle District of Florida Task Force Continues To Combat COVID-19 Fraud
Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the results achieved by the Middle District of Florida’s efforts to combat fraud related to COVID-19. Those efforts have included complementary actions by the United States Attorney’s Office’s (USAO-MDFL) Criminal, Asset Recovery, and Civil Divisions, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
“The Middle District of Florida United States Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting the integrity of government programs established to provide relief for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg. “These cases should serve as a warning to those who might have engaged in similar fraudulent activity that holding those accountable for these crimes remains a high priority for federal authorities.”
The USAO-MDFL’s Civil Division, in conjunction with the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, recently announced a $325,000 settlement with Florida companies Kingwood Orlando Reunion Resort LLC and Kingwood Crystal River Resort Corp. (“Crystal River”) regarding allegations that they violated the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act by knowingly providing false information in support of a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan forgiveness application submitted by Crystal River.
On the criminal enforcement front, the USAO-MDFL and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies combined resources in March 2020 to form the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Task Force has prosecuted 57 defendants for fraud schemes designed to exploit federal programs including the PPP, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), Unemployment Insurance (“UI”), the Main Street Lending Program (“MSLP”), and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (“ERAP”). Collectively, these defendants sought to defraud the United States of over $91 million. 43 of those defendants have already been found guilty, while prosecution remains pending against 14 defendants.
(See chart for criminal case details.)
For example, in February 2023, Keith Ingersoll (46, Orlando) was sentenced to nine years and one month in federal prison for a variety of fraud schemes, including a real estate scam and a fraudulent EIDL application.
Also in February 2023, Daniel Joseph Tisone (35, Naples) was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison for a variety of COVID-19 fraud offenses. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to forfeit properties, an engagement ring, ammunition, and cash seized from bank accounts and must pay more than $2.6 million in restitution. Tisone, a convicted felon, submitted false and fraudulent EIDL, MSLP, and PPP loan applications containing false representations, including about his criminal history, average monthly payroll, number of employees, and gross revenues.
Further, the USAO-MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division and federal seizing agencies have completed the forfeiture of more than $16.8 million of EIDL, UI, and PPP funds that were fraudulently obtained, depriving the fraudsters of their ill-gotten gains and recovering the proceeds for the victims. More than $9.8 million in additional pandemic fraud proceeds have been seized and are pending civil or criminal forfeiture.
The U.S. Attorney General has established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Through the PPP, the federal government authorized over $600 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. The EIDL program provides economic relief to small businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. The MSLP provided support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. UI programs provided unemployment benefits to eligible workers who became unemployed through no fault of their own.
The criminal cases charged by the Middle District of Florida COVID-19 Fraud Task Force have been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor—Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Small Business Administration, the Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation—Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, Federal Reserve Board – Office of Inspector General, the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, the Tampa Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Winter Park Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys throughout the Middle District of Florida.
The Department of Justice needs the public’s assistance in remaining vigilant and reporting suspected fraudulent activity. To report suspected fraud, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) at (866) 720-5721 or file an online complaint at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. Complaints filed will be reviewed at the NCDF and referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for investigation.
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Charged Cases |
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Defendant(s) (Age) |
Charge(s) Max. Imprisonment |
Type of Fraud* |
Intended Loss Amount |
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Tampa Division |
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Joseph Abdo |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years |
PPP |
$500k |
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Alexander Leszczynski |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years |
PPP |
$200k |
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Charles Cunningham |
Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years |
PPP |
$800k |
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Ellyn Pinkney |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
EIDL |
$14M |
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Kieanna Garrett |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
EIDL |
$40k |
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Nicole Bramble-King |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
PPP |
$40k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Candace Rich, and Jennifer Peresie |
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Orlando Division |
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Evan Edwards Joshua Edwards |
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 years Visa fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 years False statements Maximum Prison Term: 30 years |
PPP |
$8M |
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Emmet Bowens |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years |
PPP |
$740k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Kara Wick, Chauncy Bratt, Shannon Laurie, and Amanda Daniels |
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Jacksonville Division |
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Jacob Byrd |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
PPP |
$20k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein |
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Fort Myers Division |
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Venera Price |
Mail fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
ERAP |
$82k |
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Ismaelle Manuel |
Bank Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
PPP |
$280k |
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Denis Casseus |
Bank Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
PPP |
$298k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division are being handled by AUSA Yolande Viacava |
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Ocala Division |
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Henry Wade |
Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
EIDL |
$500k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Ocala Division are being handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk |
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Adjudicated Cases |
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Tampa Division |
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Keaujay Hornsby |
Racketeering conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years |
UI |
$3M |
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Kareem Spann |
Racketeering conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years |
UI |
$3M |
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Richard Simpkins |
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Illegal monetary transactions Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years |
PPP |
$1.9M |
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|
Steve Moodie |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive |
UI |
$1.5M |
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Marqus Willard Johnson |
Bank fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years Money laundering Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
PPP |
$500k |
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Omar Esquivel Bello |
Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
EIDL |
$242k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division are being handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Diego Novaes, Tiffany Fields, Jennifer Peresie, and Greg Pizzo, and DOJ Trial Attorney John Scanlon |
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Orlando Division |
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Brian Blake |
Possession of device-making equipment Maximum Prison Term: 15 Years Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive |
PPP/UI |
$832k |
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Daniel Johnson |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive Unlawful transfer of firearm Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years |
UI |
$2.3M |
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Teresa McIntyre |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses Maximum Prison Term: 5 Years |
EIDL |
$730k |
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Jaheim Davis |
Access device fraud Maximum Prison Term: 10 Years Aggravated identity theft Maximum: Prison Term: Two Years Consecutive |
UI |
$219k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division are being handled by AUSAs Chauncey Bratt, Amanda Daniels, Jennifer Harrington, Shannon Laurie, and Dana Hill, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg |
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Jacksonville Division |
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Desmond Williams |
Wire fraud conspiracy Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Wire fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years |
PPP |
$40k |
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Kenneth Landers |
Wire Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 20 Years Money Laundering Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years |
PPP |
$1.4M |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Jacksonville Division are being handled by AUSA Kevin Frein and Michael Coolican |
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Fort Myers Division |
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Al Clint LaRoche |
Bank Fraud Maximum Prison Term: 30 Years |
PPP |
$1M |
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This COVID Fraud case from the Fort Myers Division is being handled by AUSA Trent Reichling |
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Sentenced Cases |
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Tampa Division |
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Louis Thornton, III |
Wire Fraud Sentence Imposed: 42 months in federal prison |
EIDL/PPP |
$815k |
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Kary Stevenson Corey Quinn |
Conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years, 10 months in federal prison (Stevenson) Sentence Imposed:7 years in federal prison (Quinn) |
UI |
$1M |
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Bridgitte Keim |
Bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 2 years in federal prison |
PPP |
$588k |
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Wayne Ganaway |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 4 years in federal prison |
EIDL |
$300k |
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Eriaius Bentley |
Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: One year in federal prison |
UI |
$3M |
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Rolanda Wingfield |
Access device fraud, Aggravated identity theft Sentenced Imposed: 3 years in federal prison |
UI |
$135k |
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Tywon Spann |
Racketeering conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud Sentence Imposed: 6 years and 9 months in federal prison |
UI |
$3M |
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Randy Jones |
Wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years and 1 month in federal prison |
EIDL/UI |
$250k |
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Julio Lugo |
Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 7 years and 6 months in federal prison |
EIDL/PPP |
$4.4M |
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Keith Nicoletta |
Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 24 months in federal prison |
PPP |
$1.9M |
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Rosenide Venant |
Conspiracy to commit money laundering Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison |
EIDL/PPP |
$413k |
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Melinda Hernandez |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Wire fraud and aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: Three years and six months in federal prison |
UI |
$1.5M |
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Bri’antina Mills |
Wire fraud and theft of government funds Sentence imposed: 15 months in federal prison |
$10K |
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Jorge Gutierrez Echeverria |
Wire fraud Sentence imposed: Two years and six months in federal prison |
EIDL |
$150k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Tampa Division were handled by AUSAs Rachel Jones, Greg Pizzo, Tiffany Fields, Diego Novaes, Jennifer Peresie, and SAUSA Chris Poor |
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Orlando Division |
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Jacquavius Smith |
Possession of short-barreled rifle; felon in possession of firearm; and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 7 years, 1 month in federal prison |
PPP |
$10k |
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Johnson Eustache |
Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison |
EIDL/PPP |
$2.2M |
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Joseph Harrison |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 12 months in federal prison |
UI |
$2.1M |
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Tomas Ziupsnys |
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 5 years in federal prison |
PPP |
$2M |
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Holly Urban |
Conspiracy to commit bank fraud Sentence Imposed: 30 months in federal prison |
PPP |
$1.5M |
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Joel Greenberg |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and other offenses while on pretrial release Sentence Imposed: 11 years in federal prison |
EIDL |
$430k |
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Don Cisternino
|
Wire fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and aggravated identity theft Sentence Imposed: 8 years and 6 months in federal prison |
PPP |
$7.2M |
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Keith Ingersoll |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft Sentence imposed: 9 years, 1 month in federal prison. |
EIDL |
$66k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Orlando Division were handled by AUSAs John Gardella, Amanda Daniels, Chauncey Bratt, Emily Chang, and Jennifer Harrington, and U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg |
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Fort Myers Division |
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Casey Crowther |
Bank fraud, false statement to a financial institution, illegal monetary transaction Sentence Imposed: 3 years, 1 month in federal prison |
PPP |
$2.7M |
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Anthony Bruey Amber Bruey |
Conspiracy to commit wire fraud Wire fraud Conspiracy to commit money laundering Illegal monetary transactions Sentence Imposed: Anthony Bruey: 4 years, 3 months in federal prison Amber Bruey: 4 years in federal prison |
PPP/EIDL |
$881k |
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Edrica Leann Watson |
False statement to a lending institution Sentence Imposed: 15 months in federal prison |
PPP |
$392k |
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Daniel Joseph Tisone |
Wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person Sentence Imposed: 7 years in federal prison |
PPP/EIDL/MSLP |
$10.7M |
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Liliana Gonzalez |
Wire fraud Sentence Imposed: 5 years of probation with 18 months of home confinement |
PPP |
$169k |
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These COVID Fraud cases from the Fort Myers Division were handled by AUSA Trent Reichling and AUSA Jesus M. Casas |
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Ocala Division |
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Lavelle Harris |
Wire Fraud Sentence Imposed: 27 months in federal prison |
PPP |
$1.2M |
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This COVID Fraud case from the Ocala Division was handled by AUSA Hannah Nowalk |
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Types of Fraud* Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Unemployment Insurance (UI) Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) |
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