Four Florida residents have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a large-scale fraud scheme targeting CARES Act programs. The U.S. District Court in Rhode Island found the defendants guilty of defrauding various federally funded programs of over $4.8 million.
The convicted individuals, Tony Mertile, Junior Mertile, Allen Bien-Aime, and James Legerme, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Their fraudulent activities included using stolen personal information to submit fake applications for unemployment benefits and loans under the CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
According to court documents, the defendants also submitted false applications for tax refunds, stimulus payments, and disaster relief funds. They used stolen identities to open bank accounts that facilitated the transfer of illegally obtained funds.
U.S. District Court Judge Mellisa R. DuBose sentenced Tony Mertile, identified as the leader of the conspiracy, to 72 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Junior Mertile received a 54-month sentence with three years of supervised release. Both Allen Bien-Aime and James Legerme were sentenced to 48 months in prison with three years of supervised release each.
As part of their plea agreements, the government moved to forfeit $4,857,191 from the defendants as proceeds from the conspiracy. Additionally, they forfeited luxury items and cash seized during their arrests.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Denise M. Barton and Stacey A. Erickson prosecuted the case alongside Special Assistant United States Attorney John M. Moreira from Rhode Island's Attorney General’s Public Integrity Unit.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI Boston Division and Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General among others.
Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom expressed gratitude towards law enforcement agencies involved in arresting and detaining the defendants in Florida as well as prosecutors from Florida districts who assisted in this case.
Rhode Islanders suspecting identity theft related to unemployment benefits are encouraged to contact local authorities or FBI offices for assistance.