A Nevada man has been sentenced to prison for defrauding the government of over $500,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.
Brandon Casutt, 52, of Henderson, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison for fraudulently obtaining $500,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program loans.
The loans were guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Casutt then laundered the money by writing fake payroll checks to himself and others.
Casutt submitted multiple false and fraudulent applications to the SBA and four SBA lenders on behalf of two entities he controlled, seeking to obtain over $5.7 million. Two of the applications ultimately received funding.
The PPP loan was for approximately $350,000 and was issued in the name of a purported business called Sky DeSign. The EIDL program loan was for approximately $150,000 and was issued in the name of a purported charity called Skyler’s CF Foundation.
Casutt pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of concealment money laundering on August 26, 2020.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, U.S. Attorney Jason M. Frierson, Special Agent in Charge Al Childress of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office, and Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division made the announcement.
IRS-CI and the FBI Las Vegas Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Sara Hallmark and Assistant Chief Cory E. Jacobs of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric C. Schmale for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
The COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force was established in May 2021 to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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