Washington, April 9 (Sputnik): Colorado physician Francis Joseph has been charged with fraud to obtain nearly $300,000 from three COVID-19 relief programs and faces up to 45 years in prison, the US Justice Department said in a release on Thursday.
“An indictment was unsealed Wednesday in Denver charging a Colorado man with stealing nearly $300,000 in government funds from three different COVID relief programs and with making false statements in connection with bankruptcy proceedings,” the release said. “Joseph is charged with theft in connection with health care, theft of government property, wire fraud, and making a false statement in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding.”
Joseph has received and directed to his personal bank account approximately $118,000 from the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program and the Provider Relief Fund as well as $179,999 from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the release explained.
In addition, Joseph filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the clinic following his termination and submitted false statements about his misappropriation of funds from the clinic in connection with that proceeding, the release added.
Joseph faces up to ten years in prison for each theft count, 20 years for wire fraud, and five years for the bankruptcy proceeding false statement, according to the release. (UNI)