August 27, 2024
Source: Tri City Hearld
Photo / Image Source: Unsplash,
A Scranton man pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 funding.
James G. Miller Jr., 53, entered a guilty plea Thursday to charges of fraudulently obtaining pandemic relief money through false representations in multiple applications for assistance.
The charges carry a total sentence of 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000, according to the guilty plea.
Miller also acknowledged the court can order him to pay restitution and to sentence him to up to three years of supervision after release.
Senior U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani can impose any sentence up to the maximum.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Miller and his co-conspirators fraudulently obtained more than $1.5 million by filing fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits, Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) payments and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
The PUA, LWA and PPP applications submitted by Miller and others were filed in the names of victims of identity theft and bore false representations, according to court documents.
For instance, the PUA applications contained false information about the identity theft victims’ demographics, employment statuses and availability to work.
Likewise, the PPP applications were filed on behalf of fabricated businesses and bore false financial information and forged federal tax documentation.
"Today, James G. Miller Jr. is being held accountable for stealing over $1.5 million from three different COVID relief funds,” said Christopher Nielsen, inspector in charge of the Philadelphia division for the Postal Inspection Service, in a July statement.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12.
Court documents did not name co-conspirators in the case.
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