By: Richard L. Smith
A Maryland man admitted that he illegally obtained more than $2 million in COVID-19 relief funds, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Federal law enforcement officials said Mohamed Kamara, 42, of Greenbelt, Maryland, pleaded guilty by videoconference before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to two counts of an indictment charging him with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:
From March 2020 to October 2020, Kamara and others made fraudulent applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
The SBA provided EIDLs collectively worth more than $750,000.
Kamara received or attempted to receive funds in connection with the EIDLs.
From January 2020 to September 2020, fraudulent applications were submitted to the state of New Jersey for unemployment insurance benefits using other individuals' names, dates of birth, and/or Social Security numbers.
The state approved and transferred more than $1 million, including funds, to a Kamara-controlled account.
The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud are each punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profits or gross loss suffered by the victims of his offense, whichever is most significant.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 10, 2023.