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Two Charged with Defrauding Buyers of PPE During COVID-19 Pandemic
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – On August 2, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced the charging of Frank Labruzzo and Cynthia Caronna for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 371.
The bill of information alleges that Labruzzo, Caronna, and a resident of the United Kingdom, defrauded a business seeking to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) at a time when demand for PPE had dramatically increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the bill of information, Caronna and the UK resident formed a business venture to offer the sale of PPE, and selected Labruzzo to be the venture’s escrow agent. The conspirators allegedly agreed that Labruzzo (who was an attorney and as well as an investigator with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office) would present himself to would-be buyers of PPE as a trustworthy escrow agent who would perform traditional escrow services.
Conspiracy is punishable by up to five years imprisonment, followed by up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the bill of information is merely a charge and that each defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chandra Menon of the Public Integrity Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Frank Labruzzo, a resident of Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 371. The alleged crime occurred on August 2, 2023. The sentence or outcome of the case is currently pending.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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