A couple from New Jersey and Florida has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining approximately $790,000 in federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Diana Valteri, aged 42, and Edmond Haxhillari, aged 43, residing in Sparta, New Jersey, and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, respectively, had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch. They were charged with wire fraud and money laundering. The sentences were imposed at the federal court in Trenton.
Court documents reveal that between June 2020 and August 2020, Valteri and Haxhillari engaged in a scheme to secure COVID-19 emergency relief loans intended for small businesses under the EIDL program. They submitted fraudulent loan applications on behalf of several shell companies that falsely claimed to have employees and revenue. After receiving the funds through deception, they used the money for personal gain.
The investigation leading to these charges involved special agents from multiple agencies including the FBI's Newark Field Office led by Special Agent in Charge Terrence G. Reilly; IRS Criminal Investigation's Newark Field Office under Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan; Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General Boston-New York Field Division directed by Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly; and Small Business Administration's Office of the Inspector General Eastern Regional Office led by Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite.
This case is part of efforts by the District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force. This strike force is one of five established across the United States by the Department of Justice to tackle large-scale pandemic relief fraud. These interagency teams focus on prosecuting criminal organizations involved in multi-state fraud schemes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fatime Meka Cano and Aja Espinosa from the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark are representing the government.
Individuals with information about potential COVID-19 related fraud can report it via the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or through their online complaint form.
Defense counsel for Valteri and Haxhillari includes William Tunkey, Esq., and Joseph Nascimento, Esq.
