NEW YORK, NY – Today, Besim Kukaj, a Manhattan restaurateur, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for orchestrating a loan fraud scheme, attempting to obtain over $6 million and receiving $1.5 million in government-guaranteed loans designed for COVID-19 pandemic relief for small businesses.
The sentence also accounts for Kukaj’s attempt to intimidate a creditor, working with his already sentenced co-defendant, Abduraman Iseni. U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter imposed the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated that Kukaj took advantage of the pandemic and government efforts to help those in need by illegally obtaining funds, which he used to buy luxury items and real estate. He continued to commit crimes while on bail and directed his co-conspirator to threaten a victim to whom he owed money physically.
Kukaj, 43, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was ordered to pay forfeiture of $1,500,000 and restitution of $1,500,000 to the U.S. Small Business Administration.