A Boston man has been sentenced to a five-month prison term for engaging in fraud to obtain nearly $50,000 in COVID-relief funds. Antawn Davis, 40, was also hit with two years of supervised release and is mandated to pay $49,999 in restitution and forfeiture, theUnited States Attorney’s Officereported.
Wrapped up in charges of racketeering conspiracy, drug trafficking, firearms charges, and financial frauds, Davis was one of over 40 alleged Heath Street Gang members/associates arrested this February. In connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Davis submitted applications filled with inaccuracies, about his business’ income and loan utilization in April and May 2021. As a result, Davis was indulging in leisure at a casino and shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue with the PPP loans, which should have been a lifeline for small businesses during the pandemic.
During his June plea, Davis conceded to one count of wire fraud and one count of making false statements. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick passed the sentencing last Friday. As described in the official announcement, the fraud perpetrated by Davis entailed the submission of fraudulent loan applications which included doctored tax records to support his false claims.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and the heads of the Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service criminal investigations outlined the coordinated effort in tackling this misuse of critical relief funds, intended to bolster the economy in unprecedented times of struggle. Part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation which seeks to dismantle high-level criminal organizations via a multi-agency, intelligence-driven approach, the case underscores the government’s resolve to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
A COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force was also established by the Attorney General on May 17, 2021, to enhance collaboration across government entities and maximize resources in fighting against pandemic-related fraud. Davis’ fraudulent actions were just a small glimpse into the widespread issue the task force is tackling. The Department of Justice urges anyone aware of COVID-19 related fraud attempts to come forward and inform the authorities through the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline or the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply