FRAUDSTER SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR COVID & BANKRUPTCY SCHEMES

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - Sean Eric Thompson, 44, formerly of Pace, Florida, was sentenced to four years in prison after previously pleading guilty in federal court to five counts of wire fraud, three counts of making a false statement, six counts of money laundering, and three counts of bankruptcy fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Florida. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "This defendant tried to rip off the federal government by enriching himself with U.S. taxpayer funds intended to help small businesses struggling during the COVID pandemic, and then followed that up with further fraud during subsequent bankruptcy proceedings. My office remains committed to ensuring every last fraudster who stole taxpayer money during the COVID pandemic is held accountable."

Court documents reflect that in May 2021, the defendant, who was a partial owner of a business that owned a brewery and restaurant, electronically submitted a fraudulent Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) application and supporting documents to the Small Business Administration (SBA). The RRF was created to provide funding for restaurants, bars, and similar businesses that served food and drink to keep their doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application and supporting documents electronically submitted by the defendant falsely stated that the business had sustained $1,128,233 in COVID-19 related losses, and on May 25, 2021, the SBA paid $1,128,233 in RRF funds into an account designated by the defendant.

The defendant then spent the RRF funds on personal expenses, including transferring substantial funds to his personal investment account. Specifically, between August and November 2021, the defendant transferred $150,000 in RRF funds to his personal investment account.

In August 2023, the defendant filed for bankruptcy. The petition and schedules submitted by the Defendant contained a number of materially false statements and omissions, including failing to disclose the RRF funds and the defendant's interest in a second, unrelated business. In connection with his bankruptcy proceeding, the defendant then testified falsely under oath during a September 2023 meeting of his creditors. Finally, in February 2024, the defendant caused fraudulently altered financial statements to be submitted to the trustee administering his bankruptcy estate.

"Pandemic relief funds were created to support businesses in crisis, not enrich individuals like Mr. Thompson," said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. "The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and hold accountable anyone who abuses public trust and defrauds critical government programs for personal gain."

"SBA Office of Inspector General remains committed to aggressively pursuing individuals who exploited pandemic relief programs for personal gain," said Jason Xerri, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the SBA OIG's Eastern Regional Office. SBA-OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate fraud, protect taxpayer funds, and ensure those who abused these critical programs are held accountable."

The case involved a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.