Sean Eric Thompson, 44, a former Pace resident, pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud, three counts of making a false statement, six counts of money laundering, and three counts of bankruptcy fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin said: “My office is hard at work with our federal law enforcement partners to track down and prosecute every single instance of fraud against the U.S. Government during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes and will use every available means to recover the U.S. taxpayer monies stolen by the fraudsters to enrich themselves.”
Court documents reflect that in May 2021, the defendant, who was a partial owner of a business that owned a brewery and restaurant, electronically submitted a fraudulent Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) application and supporting documents to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The RRF was created to provide funding for restaurants, bars, and similar businesses that served food and drink to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application and supporting documents electronically submitted by the defendant falsely stated that the business had sustained $1,128,233 in COVID-19 related losses, and on May 25, 2021, the SBA paid $1,128,233 in RRF funds into an account designated by the defendant.
The defendant then spent the RRF funds on personal expenses, including transferring substantial funds to his personal investment account. Specifically, between August and November, 2021, the defendant transferred $150,000 in RRF funds to his personal investment account.
Finally, in August 2023, the defendant filed a Chapter 7, Voluntary Petition in bankruptcy. The petition and schedules submitted by the defendant contained a number of material, false statements and omissions, including failing to disclose the RRF funds and the defendant’s interest in a second, unrelated business. In connection with his bankruptcy proceeding, the defendant then testified falsely under oath during a September 2023 meeting of his creditors. During that meeting, the defendant falsely testified that his petition and associated forms were true and correct and also specifically denied that his second business had ever had any assets, which was false. Finally, in February 2024, the defendant caused to be submitted to the trustee administering his bankruptcy estate fraudulently altered financial statements.
Thompson faces up to 20 years in prison and three years of supervised release as to each wire fraud count. He also faces up to five years in prison and one year of supervised release as to each false statement count, and up to ten years imprisonment and three years of supervised release as to each money laundering count. Finally, he faces up to five years in prison and three years of supervised release on each bankruptcy fraud count when he is sentenced.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the SBA. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch.
Related Federal Cases
- Willie Weatherspoon, Money Laundering, Florida 2024 · Washington
- Morales Cacique, Money Laundering, Florida 2016 · Washington
- Academy Packing Co, Wire Fraud, Michigan 2002 · Alabama
- Eugene Fanfan, Tax Evasion, Florida 2016 · California
- Arashio Harris, Wire Fraud, Florida 2023 · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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