SALT LAKE CITY – The grimy details of a sordid fraud scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic have culminated in a prison sentence for Mubarak Sulaiman Ukashat, 38, of Kaysville, Utah. Former president of the Utah State University Student Association Muslim Student Club, Ukashat was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment after he swindled $392,827 in federal and state funds.
On February 6, 2025, a U.S. District Court judge handed down the sentence, which also included three years of supervised release and a restitution order for $392,827. Additionally, Ukashat agreed to forfeit $101,000.
According to court documents, between June 2020 and July 2020, Ukashat submitted four fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) applications under the names of individuals with no connection to him, funneling the proceeds into his Muslim Student Club account. He then transferred the funds to a personal account before splurging on unauthorized personal expenses.
The defendant’s actions resulted in over $100,000 being funneled outside the United States, with purchases including a $45,900 GMC Yukon and $27,000 in electronics. He also fraudulently obtained $58,927 in state unemployment insurance benefits.
Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah led the charge in announcing the sentence, which was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Bouton and Mark Y. Hirata prosecuted the case.
This high-profile fraud case underscores the lengths some individuals will go to exploit the desperation of a pandemic, with devastating consequences for unsuspecting victims and the economy at large.
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Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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