CAMDEN, NJ – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced the indictment of three individuals for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme to obtain roughly $5 million from federal COVID-19 relief programs. The accused are charged with multiple counts related to bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
Eric Rivera, 42, from Norcross, Georgia, faces numerous charges, including bank and wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, and direct involvement in falsifying loan applications for COVID-19 relief. Adrienne Ponzo, 49, from Bear, Delaware, is charged with wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, while James Wessels, 54, also from Middletown, Delaware, is charged with bank fraud conspiracy and creating fraudulent tax documents used in the scam.
The defendants allegedly exploited the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), established under the CARES Act, by submitting fraudulent loan applications and documentation for non-operational businesses. The indictment details how the proceeds were laundered and misused, including kickbacks to the orchestrators of this scheme. The charges brought against them carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms and substantial fines.