Atlanta man accused of stealing $1.5M in COVID-19 relief funds: FEDS

Published by RawNews1st

According to court records, Chavo and would set up fake businesses and forge bank statements. Then, investigators claim, he would fill out paycheck protection applications that indicated he could not pay employees.

A grand jury indictment alleges the government wired him more than $400,000 on three different dates in 2020 and $125,000 once in 2021.

Investigators do not think Chavo acted alone. They accuse Theodore Jackson of helping him steal strangers’ identities to connect to the fake businesses. Investigators accuse them both of filling out applications and transferring the funds across bank accounts.

They both face eight counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering.

Agents arrested Jackson in Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday. Agents will transfer him to Atlanta where he will enter a plea during his first court appearance.

Chavo pleaded not guilty in federal court.