Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Brian H. Sperber and Edmond S. Norkus have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a wire fraud scheme related to the sale of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two men deceived buyers out of more than $14 million by promising large quantities of PPE that they could not deliver.
"Sperber and Norkus cashed in on the unprecedented scarcity and skyrocketing price of personal protective equipment to get rich quick at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was exploding," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. "Now they justifiably confront prison terms for their cynical, illegal cash grab."
FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke remarked, "These sentences underline the FBI’s commitment to holding those who exploit federal relief programs for personal gain accountable."
Sperber became an authorized distributor for a Georgia-based PPE manufacturer shortly before the pandemic began, while Norkus operated warehouse space in Florida as his business associate. Despite limited supplies and geographic sales restrictions, they promised products to numerous buyers, using counterfeit documents to create the illusion of delivery.
United States District Judge Michael J. Brown sentenced Sperber, 48, from Plantation, Florida, to two years and two months in prison with three years of supervised release. He must also pay restitution amounting to $14,231,605.36 after pleading guilty on May 28, 2024.
Norkus, 61, from Deerfield Beach, Florida, received a three-year prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $13,821,605.36 in restitution after his guilty plea on May 28, 2024.
Sperber used proceeds from the scheme to buy a waterfront mansion in Boca Raton. In a civil forfeiture action related to this case, Sperber agreed with the United States to sell the property for approximately $4 million as part of resolving his criminal prosecution's forfeiture component.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Alana R. Black and C. Brock Brockington led the prosecution.
The Department of Justice established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force on May 17, 2021. This task force coordinates efforts across government agencies to combat pandemic-related fraud by investigating domestic and international criminal actors involved in such schemes.
For information about reporting attempted COVID-19 fraud allegations or other inquiries related to this case can be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email or phone.
