Delray man indicted in COVID-relief loan fraud
DELRAY BEACH — A Delray Beach man is accused of fraudulently seeking more than $1.5 million in COVID relief loans, which federal prosecutors allege he obtained by falsifying business information and using others’ identities, as well as his own.
Jeremie Saintvil, 46, is facing charges that include bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements to a federally insured institution.
According to the federal grand jury indictment returned Tuesday, Saintvil obtained forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, which allows for qualified small businesses and organizations to receive two-year loans with an interest rate of 1%. The loans can be forgiven if used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. Prosecutors allege that Saintvil listed fictitious businesses on PPP loan applications. They say Saintvil applied for the loans using his own name, the name of a relative and the names of seven residents at senior living facilities.
Saintvil is accused of submitting fraudulent loan applications to nine different federally insured banks and credit unions on behalf of the non-existent businesses. Among the information he is alleged to have falsified on the applications included tax documents and bank account information.
Prosecutors say Saintvil also opened bank accounts and credit lines in the names of his elderly victims and got checkbooks, debit cards and credit cards in their names. He ultimately transferred funds from the lines of credit into the bank accounts he fraudulently opened, according to the indictment. If convicted of all charges, Saintvil faces a maximum of 37 years in federal prison.
Anyone with information about attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can call the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. They can also report fraud online at Justice.gov.