Tony Sterlin Cantave, Pandemic Relief Program Fraud, Connecticut 2025

Crime Boss Behind Bars: Tony Sterlin Cantave, 46, Sentenced for Pandemic Relief Program Fraud

Cheshire, CT – In a hard-hitting blow to those who sought to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic, Tony Sterlin Cantave, 46, was sentenced to three months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for defrauding a COVID-19 pandemic relief program.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2020, Cantave applied for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) through the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The application contained several materially false statements, including that the business for which Cantave sought the loan, Arbitrage 1 Media, was an ongoing, legitimate business involved in the limousine and transportation business, and that he was not more than 60 days delinquent in his child support obligations.

After the SBA reviewed and approved the fraudulent EIDL application, Cantave received $96,200. He then used the proceeds from the loan to pay for personal and non-business expenses, including $16,607.26 to pay off an automobile loan.

Judge Victor A. Bolden ordered Cantave to pay $109,605.21 in restitution. This is a significant blow to Cantave, who has a history of federal convictions. In December 1999, he was sentenced in New Haven federal court to 18 months of imprisonment for a firearm offense, and in February 2015, he was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 13 months of imprisonment for his participation in a U.S. Postal Service money order fraud scheme.

Cantave pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money and one count of making an illegal monetary transaction on June 24, 2025. He is currently released on bond and is required to report to prison on July 15. This investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.

The case highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when they seek to exploit vulnerable programs like the COVID-19 pandemic relief program. The Grimy Times will continue to bring you updates on this and other cases of pandemic relief program fraud.

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