A Southern California man has pleaded not guilty to charges he obtained $5 million in federal coronavirus-relief loans for phony businesses and then used the money for lavish vacations and to buy a Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini, prosecutors said Monday.
Mustafa Qadiri, 38, was arrested last week on suspicion of scheming to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program, which was implemented last year to help small businesses struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Qadiri, of Irvine, pleaded not guilty Friday to multiple charges including bank fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Qadiri’s attorney, Bilal A. Essayli, declined further comment Monday.
Prosecutors said Qadiri submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications to three banks on behalf of four companies that didn’t actually exist. The applications included altered bank records, fake tax returns and false information about employees, according to the indictment.
Qadiri also used someone else’s name, Social Security number, and signature to fraudulently apply for one of the loans, prosecutors said.
He received $5 million in loans that investigators said he used to pay for trips, sports cars and personal expenses.
Federal agents have seized the Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini cars that Qadiri purchased, along with about $2 million from his bank accounts, prosecutors said.
U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton scheduled a jury trial for June 29. Qadiri was released on $100,000 bond.
Latest Stories
-
NPP is no longer strong, says Sammy Crabbe
11 minutes -
‘We’re not inviting anyone, just collecting data’ – Domelevo on ORAL criticism
13 minutes -
Dubik Mahama rejects proposal for further privatisation of ECG
36 minutes -
Joynews’ Ohemeng Tawiah sustains life-threatening injuries in police-illegal miners clash
41 minutes -
Residents of Nungua demand intensified police patrol due to rise in robberies
41 minutes -
Government urged to keep investing in technical, vocational education
42 minutes -
Privatisation won’t solve Ghana’s electricity challenges – Scientist
44 minutes -
CDD-Ghana condemns acts of post-election hooliganism
46 minutes -
Bono COCOBOD seizes trucks loaded with bags of cocoa, lumber
54 minutes -
Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Mahama suggests it must be Government-sponsored
55 minutes -
Mahama is committed to working with 60 ministers – Edudzi Tamakloe
1 hour -
Mahama, Opoku-Agyemang hold crucial meeting with IMF
1 hour -
Mahama reiterates commitment to permanent peace in Bawku
1 hour -
‘Go to court if you think ORAL is unlawful’ – Domelevo challenges critics
1 hour -
‘The hypocrisy in Ghana is disturbing and nauseating’ – Domelevo on criticism of ORAL
2 hours