COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Coverage of COVID-19 Relief Fraud in the Nexus archive.
- EXCLUSIVE: Alleged $32M COVID-19 fraud fugitive captured in Jamaica and returned to US, FBI says
Elaine Angene Escoe, an alleged $32 million pandemic relief fraud fugitive, was captured in Jamaica under the alias 'Harley Newman' and returned to the U.S. FBI Director Kash Patel and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted the arrest as part of an international fraud crackdown, noting Escoe is the fourth fugitive captured in five weeks.
- Founder of Lender Service Provider Pleads Guilty for Role in PPP Fraud Scheme
A founder of Blueacorn, a lender service provider, pleaded guilty to his involvement in a fraudulent scheme to illegally obtain COVID-19 relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This case highlights ongoing prosecutions related to pandemic relief fraud.
- Co-Founders of Paycheck Protection Program Lender Service Provider Charged for COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme
Nathan Reis and Stephanie Hockridge, co-founders of a PPP loan service provider, have been charged with submitting fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications for themselves and their businesses. The duo, based in Puerto Rico and formerly from Arizona, allegedly exploited their position as administrators of the Paycheck Protection Program to commit fraud.