Alamdar Hamdani U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Manvel resident has admitted to engaging in a series of fraudulent activities totaling over $2 million, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The 39-year-old individual, Antonio Jackson, pleaded guilty to wire fraud related to a Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jackson submitted false documents on four separate applications for PPP funds, claiming multiple employees at a non-existent business. This deception resulted in a loss of $491,711 to the Small Business Administration (SBA), as he used falsified tax documents, bank statements, and employee forms.
In addition to the PPP scheme, Jackson confessed to other fraudulent acts. These included defrauding a Washington D.C.-based federal credit union through false home improvement loan applications and committing mortgage fraud by falsely claiming honorable discharge for a Veteran’s Affairs Department-backed loan. He also avoided taxes on a Brazoria County residence by pretending to be a fully disabled veteran and engaged in credit card abuse in December 2024.
The total losses from Jackson's fraudulent activities have surpassed $2 million. "Going after fraudsters who take money meant for hard-working Americans is a priority for this office," said Ganjei. "Doing so both upholds the public trust and protects the taxpayer."
As part of his plea agreement, Jackson has agreed to pay full restitution for his crimes. U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal will sentence him on April 16, where he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a potential fine of $250,000.
Jackson will remain in custody until the sentencing hearing. The investigation was conducted by the SBA-Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter prosecuted the case.
