California Man Charged in $10 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud

A California man allegedly submitted fake tax documents and business records to 3 banks in an attempt to gain more than $10 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act loans, according to the US Department of Justice’s Office of Public Affairs.

Craig David Davis, 50, of Marina Del Rey, California, made his initial appearance in Alexandria, Virginia, to face charges on March 7, 2024, the Justice Department reported. Davis was charged with 4 counts of wire fraud for attempting to secure 2 Paycheck Protection Program loans and a single Main Street Lending Program. Together, the loans totaled nearly $10.7 million.

Davis faces a maximum 20 years in prison on each count if convicted.

The Special Investigator for Pandemic Recovery and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation agency are investigating the case, with assistance from other offices.

David A. Peters, a trial attorney with the Justice Department’s criminal division fraud section, and Kathleen Robeson, an assistant US Attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, are prosecuting the case.

Reference

Man charged for $10M COVID-19 relief fraud scheme. News release. US Dept of Justice Office of Public Affairs; March 7, 2024. Accessed April 9, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-charged-10m-covid-19-relief-fraud-scheme