TAMPA, Fla. — Federal officials announced the indictment of 11 people in a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme.
U.S. Attorney with the Middle District of Florida Gregory Kehoe said the individuals were part of a COVID-19 loan scheme which defrauded $2.2 million from taxpayers.
The U.S.Attorney said it indicted Sherell Breus, 40, Champions Gate, Jessie Perlado, 63, Lakeland, Candice Harper, 37, Pooler, GA, Yashica Carter, 40, Ft. Lauderdale, Brandon Thomas, 39, Champions Gate, Antwaun Jonson, 39, Delray Beach, Jessica Sejour, 33, Greenacres, Tameshia Roberson, 44, Winter Haven, Vance Houston, 30, Oakland Park, and Raymound Carvil Sr., 61, Ft. Lauderdale.
The conspirators are alleged to have provided fraudulent documentation on multiple forms submitted for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications.
Watch DOJ press conference
The U.S. State Attorney said Neil Bryant, 45 of Winter Haven was charged with one count of wire fraud in a separate indictment. Bryant is alleged to have defrauded the Small Business Administration by submitting a fraudulent EIDL application. If convicted Bryant faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison, the DOJ said.
Florida memory care facility files for bankruptcy after $1.5M court judgment
A Pasco County memory care facility filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy weeks after a judge ordered it to pay a $1.5 million award to a resident's family in a wrongful death lawsuit.
