Miami man sentenced; used ill-gotten COVID-19 funds to splurge on luxuries

MIAMI, Fla. — A Miami man who used ill-gotten COVID-19 relief funds to splurge on luxuries, including high-end vehicles, has been sentenced to federal prison.

On March 7, Andre Lorquet, 39, of Miami, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans and grants under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Relief Program (EIDL), and the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG), said the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.

According to court records, Mr Lorquet submitted fraudulent applications seeking more than $4.7 million in COVID-relief funds. In the COVID-relief applications, Lorquet reportedly falsified his revenue and payroll and submitted fraudulent IRS tax forms.

Lorquet received approximately $4.4 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the fraudulent scheme.

Mr Lorquet reportedly used the fraudulently obtained proceeds to purchase, among other things, high-end vehicles, such as two Tesla S models, a Lamborghini Urus, and a Porsche Panamera GTS.

Additionally, he invested in extravagant jewelry pieces, including a diamond-studded Audemars Piguet watch, a rose gold and diamond pendant bearing his company’s logo, a half-kilogram gold chain adorned with 70 carats of diamonds, and a hefty one-kilogram gold chain.

Lorquet pleaded guilty to money laundering.  U.S. District Judge Michael K. Moore sentenced him.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, made the announcement.

HSI investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Bailyn prosecuted it, and Assistant United States Attorney G. Raemy Charest-Turken handled asset forfeiture.