The US Justice Department stated Wednesday that it has charged 371 folks for offenses associated to over $836 million in COVID-19 fraud.
In an announcement which introduced the launch of two new COVID-19 fraud strike forces, the company stated there have been 718 legislation enforcement actions in opposition to COVID fraud, together with prison prices, civil prices, forfeitures, responsible pleas and sentencings.
A complete of 119 defendants pleaded responsible or have been convicted, stated the assertion.
It added that over $57 million in court-ordered restitution was imposed and 117 civil issues occurred through the federal sweep, with over $10.4 million in judgments. Additionally, prosecutors labored with legislation enforcement to safe forfeiture of over $231.4 million.
“The Justice Department has now seized over $1.4 billion in COVID-19 relief funds that criminals had stolen and charged over 3,000 defendants with crimes in federal districts across the country,” stated Attorney General Merrick Garland.
“This latest action, involving over 300 defendants and over $830 million in alleged COVID-19 fraud, should send a clear message: the COVID-19 public health emergency may have ended, but the Justice Department’s work to identify and prosecute those who stole pandemic relief funds is far from over,” he stated.
The two strike forces add to the three strike forces launched in September 2022 in California, Florida and Maryland.
The White House stated the Justice Department’s announcement of two new COVID-19 fraud strike forces will allow it to additional ramp up its efforts and urged Congress to behave on President Joe Biden’s full proposal to triple such strike forces, make investments extra in fraud and identity-theft prevention efforts and double the statute of limitations on these crimes.
“As the President has said about those who defrauded the American people during the pandemic: ‘You can’t hide,'” stated spokeswoman Karine Jean Pierre in an announcement.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
