On August 15, six people were arrested in Texas for wire fraud while applying for loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those arrested is Bernardo Gómez Guajardo, a council member for the National Action Party (PAN) in Río Bravo, Tamaulipas.
In a statement, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Nicholas J. Ganjel, reported that five residents of the Rio Grande Valley, bordering Reynosa, Tamaulipas, were accused of orchestrating wire fraud to take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs.
In addition to the PAN council member, his wife, Lesley Chávez, was also arrested. Both of them live in Edinburg, Texas. Along with the other three detainees, they face eight charges for fraudulent applications to obtain loans through small businesses.
The investigation that revealed the fraud was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Texas Department of Insurance.
The funds obtained were granted to assist small businesses with payroll and debt payments. However, these alleged business owners took advantage and misappropriated the funds for personal expenses and enrichment.
The total amount of the fraud is $685,800. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine each.
The other individuals arrested are Sandra Pope Solis, residing in Rancho Viejo; Rolando Santiago Benítez, residing in Harlingen; Bernardo Gómez, residing in Edinburgh; and Edgar de la Garza, residing in Bronville, Texas.
Source: latinus.us
