PORTLAND, Ore.—A California real estate developer has been charged with using stolen identities to fraudulently obtain more than $1.5 million in loans intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alfred E. Nevis, 52, of Arroyo Grande, California has been charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering.
According to court documents, from April 1, 2020, through at least August 6, 2020, Nevis is alleged to have used the identities of multiple individuals known to him—including current and former employees, business associates, and their spouses—to illegally obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
The EIDL program was one of several economic relief programs originally authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES). It enabled SBA to issue low-interest loans to small businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic and associated mitigation measures.
Nevis used the stolen identities to register straw corporations, obtain Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) from the IRS, and submit loan applications to SBA on behalf of the newly-registered corporations.
Between April 1, 2020 and July 23, 2020, Nevis submitted at least 12 EIDL applications using the identities of at least eight individuals without their knowledge or permission. Together, these applications generated nearly $1.4 million in fraudulent loan disbursements. SBA approved one final EIDL for $150,000 in August 2020, bringing Nevis’ total fraud proceeds to more than $1.5 million.
Nevis made his initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and released pending a 3-day jury trial scheduled to begin on August 2.
Nevis faces a maximum sentence of 32 years in prison, fines of up to $500,000, and 3 years’ supervised release.
Related Federal Cases
- David Unitan, COVID-Relief Fraud, Oregon 2020 · California
- Jeremy Clawson, Covid-19 Relief Funds Theft, Oregon 2021 · California
- Gregory Walsh, Real Estate Investment Fraud, Oregon 2023 · California
- David A. Katz, Payroll Tax Fraud, Oregon 2024 · California
- Peter Peacock Blood, Loan Fraud, Oregon 2023 · California
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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