Timothy Craig Jolloff, COVID-19 Relief Program Fraud, Florida 2023

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – A Fort Myers couple is facing serious federal charges after allegedly ripping off COVID-19 relief programs to the tune of $3.4 million. Timothy Craig Jolloff (46) and Lisa Ann Jolloff (56) are accused of a brazen scheme involving falsified loan applications and a lavish spending spree funded by taxpayer dollars, according to an indictment unsealed today.

The Jolloffs allegedly submitted fraudulent applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans between April 2020 and March 2021. Prosecutors say they lied about employee numbers and payroll figures to inflate the amount of funding they received. They also falsely certified that the funds would be used for legitimate business expenses like payroll and rent – a claim investigators say was a complete fabrication.

The indictment details a shocking list of purchases made with the ill-gotten gains. The Jolloffs allegedly blew over $300,000 on three pontoon boats, snapped up real estate in both Florida and Indiana, and decked out their homes with luxury furnishings and outdoor kitchens. A 2019 GMC truck, a 2020 Polaris UTV, jewelry, and even two dogs were also added to the shopping list. But it didn’t stop there.

The couple further allegedly used more than $600,000 in EIDL funds to purchase a furniture business in Indiana and a landscaping business in Sarasota, Florida – businesses with no connection to the original applications for COVID relief. This wasn’t about saving jobs or keeping businesses afloat; it was a calculated effort to line their own pockets, according to federal prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to forfeit the GMC truck and the full $3,403,265.

Timothy Craig Jolloff is facing the most severe charges, including eleven counts of wire fraud (carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years per count), seven counts of bank fraud (30 years per count), conspiracy to commit money laundering (10 years), and four counts of illegal monetary transactions (10 years per count). Lisa Ann Jolloff is charged with wire fraud (20 years), conspiracy to commit money laundering (10 years), and four counts of illegal monetary transactions (10 years).

This case is part of the broader effort by the Department of Justice’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established to combat pandemic-related fraud. Attorney General Merrick Garland created the task force to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of those who exploited the crisis for personal gain. The Jolloffs’ alleged scheme serves as a stark reminder that those who prey on relief programs will be held accountable.”

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