Brockton Man Charged with Wire Fraud in COVID-19 Benefits Scam
A Brockton man has been charged with wire fraud in connection with a COVID-19 benefits scam. Jesus Abreu, 38, a former Food Service Worker with the Department of Veterans Affairs, was indicted on three counts of wire fraud.
According to the indictment, Abreu submitted an application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) in July 2020 and received $32,400. He allegedly made false claims regarding gross revenues in the application. In April 2021, Abreu submitted two applications seeking Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and received $41,666. He allegedly made false claims regarding gross income purportedly earned from a sole proprietorship and attached fraudulent tax documents to support the claims.
Abreu allegedly used the $41,666 on personal expenses. However, in September 2021, he submitted loan forgiveness applications that falsely claimed the entire $41,666 was spent on payroll. Based on the misrepresentation, the loans were forgiven.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater.
Jesus Abreu, 38, of Brockton, Massachusetts, was charged with three counts of wire fraud. The crime occurred in Massachusetts on July 2020, April 2021, and September 2021. The sentence for wire fraud is up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss, whichever is greater. Abreu allegedly obtained a total of $73,066 in COVID-19 benefits.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office, the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office, and the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Vimoon Sortsoy, Counterfeit Methamphetamine Pills, Massachusetts 2021 · New Hampshire
- James Dunham, Mail and Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2023 · Connecticut
- Jayme Gordon, Kung Fu Panda Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2024 · California
- Stephen S. Eubanks, Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2024 · New Hampshire
- Viviane Cazeau, Bank Fraud Scheme, Massachusetts, 2023 · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- 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