A Phoenix man was sentenced to years in prison for defrauding the federal government of millions in COVID relief fund.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Mohammed Maio, 44, was sentenced Oct. 13 to 10 years in prison by a U.S. district judge after pleading guilty in July to multiple offenses:
- conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud
- conspiracy to commit money laundering
- bank fraud
- felon in possession of a firearm
- materially false statement during the acquisition of a firearm
"Maio’s actions resulted in significant financial loss to the U.S. government and exploited a program intended to provide relief to small businesses during a national crisis," said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine in a statement.
Between May 2020 and March 2024, Maio conspired to fraudulently obtain and misuse multiple Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan relief loans, according to the Department of Justice. Maio submitted
false information to secure nearly $2.2 million in loans for multiple businesses that lacked employees, the Justice Department said. The funds were used for personal enrichment, including the purchase of multiple properties, rather than legitimate business purposes, the DOJ added.
A convicted felon, Maio arranged in May 2021 for his mother to buy a firearm for him, according to the Justice Department. Maio admitted he led his mother to lie on the purchase application that the firearm was for her and that he later illegally owned the weapon, DOJ said.
"Not only did Mr. Maio commit fraud against the United States government, he illegally armed himself to protect his multi-million-dollar scheme," said A.J. Gibes, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division in a statement.
Two individuals identified as family member of Maio, Souzan El-Sayed and Abukar Maio, both of Phoenix, also pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the Justice Department. Their sentencings are scheduled for Oct. 5, DOJ said.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix man learns fate for defrauding U.S. government of COVID relief
