CONCORD, NH – Pierre Rogers, 44, of Irvine, California, is headed to federal prison for 41 months after being convicted of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud. Rogers exploited the COVID-19 pandemic, lining his pockets with over $800,000 in fraudulently obtained CARES Act funds, then blowing it on a life of luxury while legitimate businesses and individuals struggled.
The scheme, detailed in court documents, involved applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds for companies Rogers and his co-defendant, Joshua Leavitt, controlled – including Puro Trader (doing business as Yahyn) and Sunju. They inflated revenue and employee numbers, submitting bogus tax filings to support their claims. In total, the pair attempted to secure over $4.8 million in loans, successfully obtaining $803,756 for Rogers.
But the money wasn’t used to keep anyone employed or businesses afloat. Instead, Rogers embarked on a spending spree that epitomizes brazen greed. A cool $107,780 went towards a 2011 Rolls Royce Ghost. Another $56,000 vanished on a Porsche. If that wasn’t enough, Rogers also splurged on high-end clothing and jewelry from Bottega Veneta, Cartier, and Bulgari, lavish resort stays, and exorbitant meals.
“The CARES Act was passed during a particularly vulnerable moment in our history to help everyday Americans who were struggling to put food on the table,” fumed U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young. “The defendant took advantage of the COVID crisis by spending fraudulently obtained taxpayer-backed funds on luxury items, while those who were truly entitled to the funds struggled to keep their businesses open and their employees paid.”
The investigation, a joint effort by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the U.S. Secret Service, revealed the depth of the fraud. Timothy R. Benitez, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, stated that his agency “is committed to investigating those individuals that took advantage of COVID-19 relief programs to ensure they are held accountable for the fraudulent activity.”
Joshua Leavitt has already pled guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on March 6, 2023. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who prey on crises for personal gain will face the full force of federal prosecution. The Grimy Times will continue to track this case and others like it, exposing the underbelly of white-collar crime.
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Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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