Three Arrested in $1.1M COVID Relief Fund Fraud in Palm Beach County
Three Palm Beach County residents have been arrested and charged with fraudulently acquiring over $1.1 million in COVID-19 relief funds. The arrests were made following months of investigation and were announced by State Attorney Dave Aronberg. The State Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), had established a task force called the Paycheck Protection Program Fraud Task Force earlier in the year.
David Jean, aged 46, Lesley Jean-Louis, aged 36, and Marc Jean-Jacques, aged 71, now face felony charges of organized scheme to defraud and money laundering. Their alleged actions were described by Aronberg as despicable and they will be held accountable for taking advantage of taxpayers during a worldwide pandemic.
One of the accused, David Jean, is said to have illegally obtained over $245,055 through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by falsely claiming to have 17 employees with an average monthly payroll of $98,022. Investigators discovered that the individuals listed as employees were actually tenants at the business address provided by Jean. These tenants confirmed that they had only ever seen Jean at the location. Jean was subsequently arrested on August 1.
Jean-Louis and Jean-Jacques are also accused of using similar tactics to fraudulently obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars from the PPP. Jean-Jacques was arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on October 16, while Jean-Louis was booked approximately two weeks later.
According to a news release, the task force investigators have been working on more than two dozen similar cases, amounting to over $12 million in fraudulent PPP funds. Aronberg emphasized that each COVID-19 relief fraudster will be exposed and held accountable for their actions.
The fraudulent acquisition of relief funds is a serious crime that not only takes advantage of taxpayers but also diverts resources away from those truly in need. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals, businesses, and communities, making it crucial to ensure the funds designed to support recovery are distributed appropriately.
By actively investigating and prosecuting cases of fraud, authorities are sending a strong message that these actions will not go unanswered. As the investigation continues, it is hoped that justice will be served and that those responsible for exploiting the relief funds will be appropriately punished.
The Paycheck Protection Program Fraud Task Force serves as a reminder that efforts are being made to safeguard public funds during these challenging times. It also highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity related to COVID-19 relief funds. By working together, we can help ensure that resources reach those who truly need them, and prevent fraudsters from taking advantage of this global crisis.
