Money

Published on: October 15, 2020

Four Florida Men Arrested for Involvement in $1.2 Million Unemployment Benefits Fraud

Four Florida men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a million-dollar unemployment benefits fraud scheme in Rhode Island.

James Legerme, 29, of Sunrise; Junior Mertile, 30, of Pembroke Pines; Tony Mertile, 28, of Miramar; and Irvin Vilneus, 28, of North Lauderdale were arrested on Tuesday and face several charges, including bank fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft of public money, access device fraud, and money laundering. Police are reportedly searching for a fifth suspect, Allen Bien-Aime, 29, of Lehigh Acres, who was also involved in the alleged scheme. It is unclear if any of the individuals has acquired an attorney.

Published on: October 13, 2020

Florida Construction Company Owner Accused of Not Paying $95,000 in Workers’ Compensation Premiums

by Brian Silber

Owner Everardo Borettini of EFC Construction Corporation faces charges of fraud for a scheme to avoid paying workers’ compensation premiums. Borettini, who pled not guilty in Dade County after being arrested on September 23, 2020, is being charged with grand theft, organized scheme to defraud, and workers’ compensation premium fraud. He faces 25 years in prison or more.

The investigation into the case was carried out by the Florida Bureau of Investigative and Forensic Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation Fraud. Borettini had claimed only $68,648, or 4% of his payroll, when the company had actually more than $1.5 million payroll. The difference of $95,000 in premiums could have placed his employees in jeopardy when attempting to file workers’ compensation claims in the future.

Published on: October 12, 2020

Two Broward Attorneys Face Charges in Scheme to Steal Foreclosure Surplus Checks

by Brian Silber

Two Broward lawyers were arrested last week for their alleged involvement in a $750,000 scheme to defraud unwitting property owners of foreclosure surplus checks.

Rashisa Overby, 46, and Ria Sankar-Balram, 40, were arrested on Monday and face multiple counts of fraud, money laundering, grand theft, among other charges. Sankar-Balram was released on $57,000 bond. Overby, who was charged with several more counts, remains held in lieu of $140,000 bond. It is unclear if they have acquired legal representation.

Published on: October 8, 2020

Texas Man Charged in $24 Million COVID-19 Relief Fraud

by Brian Silber

The U.S. Department of Justice filed an indictment Thursday charging a Dallas-area man for his alleged participation in a scheme to file fraudulent loan applications seeking approximately $24.8 million from a federal COVID-19 relief program.

Dinesh Sah, 55, of Coppell, TX, was charged with three counts of wire fraud, three counts of bank fraud, and one count of money laundering. He was arrested on September 16 and remains in custody. The press did not name an attorney for him.

Published on: October 6, 2020

Hawaiian Defense Contractor Arrested for Bilking $12.8 Million Out of Federal COVID-19 Relief Aid Program

by Brian Silber

A Hawaiian defense contractor was arrested and charged on September 30 for allegedly bilking a federal coronavirus relief aid program out of $12.8 million.

Martin Kao, 47, was charged with two counts of bank fraud and five counts of money laundering. The press did not name an attorney for him.