Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Vincenzo Minutolo, a 38-year-old resident of Shelton, pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to COVID-19 relief funds. The plea took place on February 28, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport.
The court documents reveal that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided financial assistance during the pandemic through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was intended to support small businesses with forgivable loans for payroll and other expenses. Minutolo claimed an affiliation with City Sounds Productions LLC and defrauded the PPP program by submitting false information on loan applications between March and September 2021. He secured over $145,000 by overstating income figures and misrepresenting his intentions regarding similar loans.
Additionally, Minutolo exploited the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program by filing fraudulent claims with the Connecticut Department of Labor (CT-DOL) using names of deceased individuals or those unaware of their information being used. His actions resulted in defrauding CT-DOL of at least $86,000 and potentially up to $273,000.
Minutolo admitted guilt to two counts of wire fraud, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. Sentencing is set for May 23; he is currently out on a $50,000 bond.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser is prosecuting the case.
The public is urged to report any fraud involving COVID-19 by contacting the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via their online complaint form.