Florida man pleads guilty to defrauding Maryland, California of more than $2.3 million in COVID-19 unemployment benefits

BALTIMORE, MD—A Florida man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in a scheme to defraud Maryland and California of more than $2.3 million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. David Godin, 34, of Miami, used stolen identities, virtual private networks and proxy servers to file 140 fraudulent claims in multiple states, according to the […]

Former Baltimore Department Of Finance employee sentenced To 4 years in connection with bribery, COVID-19 CARES Act scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A former Baltimore City employee has been sentenced to prison after being sentenced for a bribery and wire fraud scheme. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Joseph Gillespie, 35, of Baltimore City, to four years in federal prison and three years of supervised release in connection with a bribery scheme and conspiracy to commit wire fraud scheme involving […]

Harford County man sentenced for aggravated identity theft bank fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A Harford County man has been sentenced to prison for an identity theft and bank fraud scheme that resulted in over $1 million in losses. U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Victor Ojo, 30, of Belcamp, to 72 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Victor Ojo received the sentence for aggravated identity theft […]

Rosedale, Belcamp men indicted for unemployment insurance fraud scheme of more than $1 million

BALTIMORE, MD—Two Maryland men have been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $1 million in unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daiwor Woah-Tee, 51, of Belcamp, and Dekwii Woah-Tee, 46, of Rosedale, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, respectively. The indictment was unsealed when the defendants were arrested on December 18, 2024, and […]

Baltimore County woman sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining, attempting to obtain more than $3 million in COVID-19 CARES Act loans

BALTIMORE, MD—A 47-year-old Baltimore County woman has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds that she used to bankroll a lavish lifestyle that included a Mercedes-Benz and expensive jewelry. Tomeka Glenn, of Windsor Mill, was sentenced Friday to 65 months in prison and three years of supervised […]

Baltimore County businessman pleads guilty to fraudulently obtaining over $1.3 million in COVID-19 CARES Act loans

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County businessman has admitted to using more than $1.3 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans to purchase a Mercedes-Benz and make extensive home renovations, federal authorities announced. David Epstein, 46, of Owings Mills, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud after submitting fraudulent CARES Act loan applications, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland. The […]

Maryland man charged in $1 million unemployment benefits fraud scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—A federal grand jury charged a Maryland man with conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft for his role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1 million in unemployment benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland. Mervyn Fombe Abiko, 35, also known as “Magic,” was indicted on May 22, 2024. The indictment was unsealed upon […]

Baltimore City employee admits to bribery, PPP fraud

BALTIMORE, MD—A former Baltimore City employee has admitted to taking bribes and defrauding the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Joseph Gillespie, 35, of Baltimore, was found to have stolen more than $250,000 in bribes and received more than $138,000 in fraudulent PPP loans. Gillespie pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery. He worked for the […]