Spokane, Washington – A former Wenatchee resident faces a year in prison for swindling over $117,000 intended for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason Carnell O’Daffer was sentenced to 12 months and one day by United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice, with three years of supervised release to follow.
The relief funds were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, designed to provide financial assistance to small businesses affected by the pandemic. According to court documents, O’Daffer fraudulently claimed to operate Chelan Douglas Appraisal Services, yet was not licensed as an appraiser and his business had ceased operations before he applied for the loan.
Instead of using the funds for his purported home appraisal business, O’Daffer splurged on a personal recreational vehicle, spending over $39,000. He also embarked on a cross-country road trip, leaving small businesses in dire straits.
After being arrested in December 2022, O’Daffer skipped his pretrial release and went on the lam until March 2023 when authorities apprehended him again. U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref commented, “O’Daffer’s actions are a slap in the face to those legitimate businesses that needed relief.”
The U.S. Secret Service and the Eastern District of Washington COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force were instrumental in O’Daffer’s capture and prosecution.
This case is part of a broader effort by federal authorities to crack down on individuals who abuse pandemic relief funds. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy Kelly and Tyler H.L. Tornabene successfully prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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- Turner Gets 25 Months in $987K Bank Fraud · Washington
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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