Fredrick Mendez, a 45-year-old resident of Boca Raton, Florida, has been sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $1,589,565.75 in restitution after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges. The sentence was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Mendez's fraudulent activities spanned from March 2020 through November 2021. During this period, he submitted false applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under business names including SkyWorth Technical Solutions Inc., Northern Technology Inc., Acumen Energy Group Inc., and Acumen Holding Group, LLC. These applications included misleading information regarding employee numbers, gross revenues, and cost of goods sold. Contrary to his claims that funds would be used for business operations, Mendez diverted the proceeds for personal use.
United States Attorney Matt Kirsch remarked on the case: “This defendant lied and stole government funds meant to help people struggling in the COVID-19 pandemic.” He emphasized ongoing efforts to prosecute individuals who misused taxpayer dollars during this crisis.
Marc DellaSala, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Secret Service Denver Field Office, stated: “This prison sentence and forfeiture order should serve as another strong deterrent against pandemic-related fraud.” He affirmed their commitment to pursuing criminals exploiting government aid programs intended for small businesses and families.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Secret Service with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Cassidy. The sentencing was delivered by United States District Court Judge S. Kato Crews.
In July 2023, the Attorney General designated Colorado’s U.S. Attorney’s Office as one of five national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams aimed at combating pandemic-related financial frauds on a large scale. This initiative combines law enforcement resources with prosecutorial efforts targeting criminal organizations engaged in multistate pandemic relief fraud.
For those suspecting or aware of attempted COVID-19 related frauds, reports can be made through the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or their online complaint form.
