The Skinny: Financial fraudsters turned the COVID-19 loans bonanza into luxury shopping sprees, with the average scheme netting $1.9 million, according to criminal justice professor Marie Springer.
Some of the most flagrant frauds:
• Haitian immigrant Valesky Barosy, convicted in December, helped others rip off COVID-19 loan programs, took a 30% cut of the proceeds, and purchased a Lamborghini worth over $200,000.
• Ganell Tubbs netted nearly $2 million, went on a two-day online shopping spree on Apple products and clothes, and sent $150,000 to a relative claiming to have “won the lottery.”
• Senegalese immigrant Oumar Sissoko claimed he did not know that $7.25 million he received was only for pre-existing businesses — all while spending $370,000 in his first week, including the purchase of a $100,000 Mercedes.
• Rhea County, Tennessee County Executive George Thacker, who died in prison on Dec. 26, 2022, siphoned $650,000 in public funds to pay off his credit cards and buy stocks and cryptocurrency.
For the full catalog of COVID-19 cons, click HERE
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