A former Atlanta business-owner has been sentenced to prison for obtaining millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief fraud, tax identity theft, and credit card fraud.
Jose Fernandez, who operated multiple small businesses in the metro-Atlanta area from 2016 through 2020, was sentenced for seeking over $5 million by submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications, filing false tax returns using stolen identities, using credit cards he obtained with stolen identities, and check fraud.
He ultimately obtained more than $2 million in fraudulent funds, which he then used for his personal benefit.
Fernandez committed a litany of frauds, including an attempt to steal millions of dollars from a COVID relief program, financial institutions, and the IRS by stealing the identities of innocent victims to file false tax returns, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.
The sentencing reflects the scope of Fernandez’s criminal conduct, Buchanan added.
Keri Farley, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said Fernandez will have many years in prison to think about his long list of crimes and greed. He not only hurt business owners in need of the Covid relief funding, but even stole the identities of family members, she added.
Fernandez was sentenced for:
Attempting to steal millions of dollars from a COVID relief program, financial institutions, and the IRS by stealing the identities of innocent victims to file false tax returns.
Submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications.
Filing false tax returns using stolen identities.
Using credit cards he obtained with stolen identities.
Check fraud.
Fernandez’s sentence reflects the severity of his crimes, and it serves as a warning to others who may consider committing similar offenses, said Lisa Fontanette, acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office.
The case against Fernandez was investigated by the FBI, the IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG).
The sentencing took place in Atlanta, Georgia, on an unspecified date.
Fernandez’s prison sentence is a significant blow to his business empire, which was built on a foundation of deceit and corruption.
Related Federal Cases
- Daniqua Clark, Mail Stream Theft and COVID-19 Relief Fraud, Georgia 2023 · Georgia
- Angela Miller and Lee Lynwood, Tax Return Fraud, Georgia, 2008 · Georgia
- Four Individuals Face Federal Oxycodone Fraud Charges, Georgia, 2023 · Georgia
- Eijroghene Okuma, $10M Investment Fraud, Atlanta GA, 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Sark Wire Corporation, PPP Fraud, Albany NY, 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: White Collar Crime, Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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