The Arizona Attorney General, Kris Mayes, has announced that a State Grand Jury has returned a 50-count indictment against members and associates of the Arizona Mexican Mafia. The charges relate to fraudulent claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance during 2020 and 2021.
The indictment details allegations of fraud schemes and artifices, participation in a criminal syndicate, money laundering, and conspiracy. It is claimed that associates provided false information to obtain funds from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. These funds were allegedly used to support the objectives of the Arizona Mexican Mafia.
It is important to note that individuals charged in this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a jury.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Phoenix Violent Street Gangs Task Force and the United States Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s Covid Fraud Unit. Support came from several agencies including the Arizona Department of Economic Security Inspector General’s Office, the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation and Reentry Inspector General's Office, the FBI’s Correctional Intelligence Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons National Gang Unit.
A copy of the indictment is available for review.