A Manvel resident has pleaded guilty to wire fraud related to a Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) scheme, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The 39-year-old man, Antonio Jackson, admitted to submitting false applications for PPP funds under the guise of a non-existent business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jackson's fraudulent activities included four separate applications where he falsely claimed multiple employees at a fictitious business. To support his claims, he submitted fake tax documents, bank statements, and employee forms to the Small Business Administration (SBA), resulting in a loss of $491,711.
In addition to the PPP scheme, Jackson confessed to other fraudulent activities within the same period. These included defrauding a Washington D.C.-based federal credit union through false home improvement loan applications and committing mortgage fraud by claiming an honorable discharge for a Veteran’s Affairs Department-backed loan. He also attempted to evade taxes on a Brazoria County residence by falsely claiming full disability as a veteran and engaged in credit card abuse in December 2024.
The total losses from Jackson's fraudulent schemes have surpassed $2 million. "Going after fraudsters who take money meant for hard-working Americans is a priority for this office. Doing so both upholds the public trust and protects the taxpayer," stated Ganjei.
As part of his plea agreement, Jackson has agreed to pay full restitution for his crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for April 16 by U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal. Jackson faces up to 20 years in federal prison and could be fined up to $250,000.
Jackson will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing. The investigation was conducted by the SBA-Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.