Covid-19 pandemic fraud — COVID-19 Pandemic Fraud

NEWARK, N.J. — A Florida woman who fraudulently obtained more than $465,000 in pandemic relief funds through falsified loan applications will serve 18 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Jane Batista, 44, of Lake Worth, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Newark after previously pleading guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges.

Fraud scheme targeted pandemic relief funds

According to federal prosecutors, Batista carried out the scheme between April 2020 and August 2021, exploiting the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities said she submitted multiple fraudulent loan applications for herself, her husband, and two businesses they owned.

In those filings, Batista misrepresented key financial details, including the number of employees, their wages, and overall business revenue. Prosecutors also said she submitted forged documents, including falsified tax returns, to support the applications.

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Key Points
• Jane Batista sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for PPP fraud scheme
• Prosecutors say she fraudulently obtained about $465,489 using false documents
• Court ordered full forfeiture and two years of supervised release
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Funds used for personal spending

After lenders approved and funded the loans, Batista used the money for personal expenses rather than legitimate business needs, according to court records.

Investigators also identified several large financial transfers, including one transaction of approximately $15,000.

The total fraud amount reached $465,489, all of which the court ordered forfeited as part of the sentence.

Federal agencies led investigation

The case involved multiple federal agencies, including IRS Criminal Investigation, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin also imposed a two-year term of supervised release following Batista’s prison sentence.

Batista initially pleaded guilty on October 1, 2024, to a two-count information charging wire fraud and money laundering.

Broader crackdown on pandemic fraud

Federal officials continue to pursue cases tied to misuse of COVID-19 relief programs, which distributed billions of dollars nationwide during the pandemic.

The Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, established to combat such crimes, focuses on investigating and prosecuting fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs.

Authorities say schemes like Batista’s diverted funds intended to help struggling businesses during a period of economic disruption.

Case status

Batista has been sentenced to 18 months in prison, must forfeit $465,489, and will serve two years of supervised release after incarceration, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

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Florida Woman Sentenced in Newark for $465K COVID Relief Fraud Scheme Using Fake PPP Loans