Tampa, FL – In a shocking case of coronavirus relief abuse, Lakeland man Jeanty Cherilus has been sentenced to prison for his role in a $370,000 COVID relief fraud scheme.
According to court documents, Cherilus, 54, was an owner of Natransusa Corporation, a business that advertised to provide automobile salvage and transportation services. However, Cherilus submitted applications to obtain federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) to which he and his company were not entitled.
The loan applications contained materially false and fraudulent representations, including an inflated number of employees and average payroll, and certifications that the loan proceeds would be used for business-related purposes. Cherilus also included fraudulent supporting documentation to induce the Small Business Administration and an approved lender to fund the loans.
After receiving the PPP and EIDL funds, Cherilus used the money for purposes other than what was approved by the terms of the loan and for his own personal enrichment.
U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven handed down the sentence, ordering Cherilus to serve one year and six months in federal prison. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $370,000, the proceeds of Cherilus’s criminal conduct.
Cherilus pleaded guilty on January 22, 2025, and the case was investigated by the U.S. Agency for International Development-Office of Inspector General and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Greg Pizzo.
Those with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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