Constantin Bobi Sandu, a 34-year-old Romanian national, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for his role in a $5 million unemployment benefits scheme in California, according to a recent sentencing in federal court in San Diego.
Sandu, who was also known as Constantin Sandu, Bobi Sandu, and Ionut Mihai, conspired with over 200 individuals across California and in Romania to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars by fabricating documents, creating fictitious accounts and businesses, and filing bogus claims with California’s Economic Development Department, which administers the state’s unemployment benefits.
Among other things, Sandu wired $16,000 in fraud proceeds to Romania to renovate his house. He was also ordered to forfeit $214,950 that he personally received from the offenses.
According to U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath, the scheme diverted millions of dollars from those who truly needed it during the pandemic. “The public health emergency may be over, but we are still tracking, charging, and convicting the people who exploited it,” she said.
The FBI, IRS, and other law enforcement agencies investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Adeline Schulberg.
Sandu was found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, laundering monetary instruments, and criminal forfeitures. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both.
Defendant: Constantin Bobi Sandu, 34, Romanian national
Criminal Charges: Title 18, U.S.C. § 1349 and 1343 – Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Title 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(2)(A) — Laundering Monetary Instruments, Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1)(C) and 982(a)(1), and Title 28, U.S.C. § 2461(c) – Criminal Forfeitures
City and State: San Diego, California
Exact Date: November 20, 2023
Sentence: 40 months in prison, forfeiture of $214,950
Dollar Amounts: $5 million, $16,000, $214,950
Related Federal Cases
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Fraud, California 2023 · California
- Nazaret Chakrian, ID Theft and Wire Fraud, California 2023 · Idaho
- Federal Regulators, Lifel, Securities Fraud, California 2020 · Connecticut
- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Louisiana
- Christopher Guilford, Tax Refund Scheme, California 2025 · Alaska
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News