FLORIDA — Several individuals from the same family have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a fraud scheme related to COVID loans.
The alleged fraud involved receiving more than $500,000 in federal loans, said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Agents with the FDLE arrested Steeve Roberts, 39, of Coral Springs, Johnnie Jean, 42, of Coral Springs, Amanda Pierre-Philippe, 21, of Miami, and Stephanie Paul, 26, of Miami, for their involvement in the alleged COVID loan fraud scheme.
According to the FDLE, Roberts and Jean face one count each of organized scheme to defraud, conspiracy to commit organized scheme to defraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges. Pierre-Philippe and Paul face one count each of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The investigation began in March of 2021 when Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution said it discovered Roberts was using funds he obtained from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act as a source of personal income.
Investigators said they learned that Roberts fraudulently applied for Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Roberts also created a shell corporation based out of North Miami Beach, claiming to be in the business services sector, prosecutors said.
“The deception about the business’ activity, profits and losses, and number of employees allowed Roberts to receive more than $500,000 in federal COVID relief funds,” the FDLE said in a statement.
“Instead of using the funds for his business, Roberts used the money as a down payment to purchase a Coral Springs home, purchase luxury goods, and posting bond for a jailed acquaintance,” said the FDLE.
The investigation revealed several family members were reportedly involved in the scheme, including Jean, Roberts’ wife, as well as Pierre-Philippe and Paul, Roberts’ nieces.
“These criminals stole more than half a million dollars by filing fraudulent loan applications to COVID relief programs,” said Moody.
“Money intended to help keep jobs during the pandemic were instead used for their own personal purchases. I am grateful for the strong investigative work by our law enforcement partners working with my statewide prosecutors in this case.”
Roberts and Jean were arrested on June 6 and booked into the Broward County Jail; each ordered held on a $1,000,000 bond.
Pierre-Philippe and Paul were arrested June 7 and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center; each ordered held on a $10,000 bond.
“Criminals like this, who think they can commit gross fraud without being caught, and at the expense of law-abiding citizens who honestly relied upon this financial assistance, will not go unpunished,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass.
The case will be prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
