Covid-19 Related Crimes

COVID-19 Related Crimes

The propagation of COVID-19 created economic, social, and emotional strain across the nation.  In turn, stay-at-home orders, staggered shifts, and the massive job loss in the hospitality and restaurant industries just to name some, forced companies to shutdown permanently. All these problems triggered a rise in criminal prosecutions.

Among the offenses increased within the past year include but are not limited to the following:

  • Payroll Protection Program Fraud:  Hundreds of millions of dollars in Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Fraud has been charged, and soon the figure will reach billions.
  • Domestic violence: the rise in these incidents were not only triggered by curfews and stay-at-home orders, but also as a result of the financial despair experienced by many families who lost their jobs and health insurance coverage by no fault of their own.
  • Violation of Public Health Orders: small business owners feeling the pressure to support their families and keep their employees, intentionally violated regulations put in place to curtail the spread of the virus.
  • Price gauging and fake sales of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): While some individuals regularly engage in the sale of medical supplies, others found an opportunity to earn money and help the community by attempting to sale PPE.  However, some of these individuals found themselves facing criminal investigations.  Others have been indicted after unknowingly doing business with fake companies established overseas with the sole purpose to defraud individuals and small businesses.
  • Crimes against structures and people: Burglaries, arson, assault, and battery.

Contact our offices now to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys at (424) 371-5930.

In addition, United States Attorney Offices nationwide are focused on conduct leading to investigations of the following potential crimes:

  • Cybercrimes: websites selling cures for COVID-19, or individuals posing online as healthcare officials (phishing emails), and applications for financial relief pursuant to the CARES Act such as PPP loans, SBA loans, enhanced unemployment claims, individuals seeking online donations for nonlegitimate purposes, etc.
  • Fraud: Tax fraud, mail, fraud, insurance fraud, etc.
  • Violent Crimes: terrorism and hate crimes as well as a surged in racial profiling leading to wrongful criminal investigations and criminal charges.

If you or a loved one is under criminal investigation, or is facing criminal charges for any of the above offenses, contact our office now to arrange a free case evaluation at (424) 371-5930.

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