Jael Watts, 44, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and Luis Pino-Copete, 41, of Bogota, Colombia, have been indicted on charges related to a wire fraud conspiracy involving their non-profit company, Pearl Transit Corporation. The indictment was issued on December 4, 2025. Watts faces additional charges of ten counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Authorities allege that Watts and Pino-Copete claimed Pearl Transit provided transportation services for elderly and disabled individuals in New York and other states. Watts applied for federal grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Section 5310 program, which is managed by the New York State Department of Transportation. From September 2024 to July 2025, Watts submitted reimbursement vouchers for operational costs tied to these supposed services. According to prosecutors, with assistance from Pino-Copete, she included false supporting documents in these submissions.
Investigators say that Pearl Transit never actually provided any transportation services or employed drivers. The indictment also alleges that Watts used an attorney's name without consent on a grant application dated March 20, 2022.
The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “As alleged, Watts, working with her husband Pino-Copete, perpetrated a massive fraudulent scheme against the Department of Transportation in New York. She submitted requests for reimbursement for services that were made up out of thin air. Those funds were meant to help transport some of our most vulnerable—the elderly and disabled. These charges show that these crimes will only transport you to prison, as Watts and Pino-Copete now face the prospect of many years in prison.”
DOT-OIG Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Gallagher said: “Today’s indictment illustrates the depth of the alleged fraud committed by Watts and Pino-Copete. The DOT-OIG takes very seriously our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud and attempt to steal from government funds. We’re committed to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to protect taxpayer dollars and uphold the integrity of federally funded programs.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli added: “Watts and Pino-Copete allegedly conspired to scam the State of New York out of more than $1 million dollars meant to transport deserving New Yorkers for needed care and services. Thanks to the work of my office, this fraud was detected before any payment was made. My office will continue to aggressively root out fraud and partner with law enforcement to hold offenders responsible. I thank Acting United States Attorney Sarcone and the United States DOT Inspector General for their work with my office in protecting public funds.”
Watts was arrested on July 21, 2025; following detention hearings, she was ordered held pending trial before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi after being indicted on October 16, 2025. Pino-Copete was arrested in New Jersey on December 9, 2025; he was arraigned later that month in Albany.
If convicted, both defendants could face up to 20 years in prison along with fines up to $250,000 each and supervised release terms up to three years.
The case is being investigated by multiple agencies including DOT-OIG, the New York State Comptroller’s Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
