A Florida resident has been accused of attempting to obtain over $4.2 million in coronavirus relief funds after he filed multiple fraudulent loan applications.
According to ABC News, 27-year-old Valesky Barosy of South Florida has been charged with five counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, and a single count of aggravated identity theft. The combined charges could have Barosy facing up to 132 years in prison if convicted. He made his first federal court appearance in Fort Lauderdale last week.
The indictment claims that Barosy submitted false loan applications for himself and several accomplices, seeking to take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to acquire as much as $4.2 million in loans. To do this, Barosy falsified the applicant’s prior-year expenses, net profit, and payroll, and separately submitted false tax forms with the IRS.
As a result, Barosy ultimately received about $2.1 million in loans for himself and his accomplices. He spent his share of the money on luxury products, including a Lamborghini, Rolex watches, and designer clothing from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, among others.