Lakeland, FL – A notorious gang involved in a high-profile mass shooting in Lakeland has been arrested for stealing COVID relief money through forged Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) documents. This breakthrough in the investigation reveals a new angle in tackling crime, where white-collar fraud charges are being used against street criminals.
The gang members, previously pursued for weapons and drug-related offenses, have been caught exploiting government relief designed to support legitimate businesses during the pandemic. Law enforcement officials say the suspects used fake business claims to obtain and launder thousands of dollars in PPP loans, spending the stolen funds on lavish lifestyles rather than sustaining actual enterprises.
From Mass Shooting Suspects to White-Collar Criminals
Officials initially linked a dozen individuals to a mass shooting that attracted considerable public attention. Lakeland Police Chief Sammy Taylor recalled, “You may remember that shooting. It made quite a stir in Lakeland.” The investigation began on January 30th, 2023, and soon after, two suspects were charged with gun offenses.
However, further probing uncovered that these gang members were also deeply involved in a sophisticated fraud scheme, abusing the COVID relief initiative:
- Each defendant fraudulently acquired between $14,000 and $20,000 through false PPP loan applications.
- The collective total of stolen funds reached approximately $230,000.
- The suspects falsified business records and applied for loan forgiveness under false pretenses.
According to US Attorney Gregory Kehoe, one individual alone received $20,000, which was spent on automobiles, liquor stores, and investment sites, rather than legitimate business expenses. Kehoe emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation, stating, “We did searches on eleven different locales in the Lakeland area; we didn’t find one business record.”
New Tools and Evidence in Crime Fighting
The case highlights how white-collar crime statutes are increasingly important in pursuing criminal enterprises, even those traditionally known for violent crimes. By tracing where government funds were deposited and spent, investigators bypass unreliable witness statements and unclear surveillance footage.
The ease of tracking electronic transactions provides irrefutable evidence against suspects who thought they could mask their fraud within a street gang’s operations.
Kehoe remarked, “It’s a new day. Let’s be perfectly honest, they have used it as a way to garner funds in a very efficient fashion, they were smart enough to do that.”
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Ongoing Investigations and Future Charges
Despite these arrests, authorities stress that the operation is not over. Gregory Kehoe hinted at continuing efforts to apprehend other individuals involved in the scheme, stating, “There’s still other individuals that we’re interested in. And I don’t want to go any more details of that, but we’re not done.”
All twelve defendants currently face wire fraud charges, with each individual potentially facing up to twenty years in prison. These charges mark a significant escalation in tactics used against gangs, targeting the financial underpinnings behind criminal activity.
For more detailed information on the investigation, visit the original report by FOX 13 here.
Key Takeaways
- A gang previously known for violent crime has been charged with white-collar offenses involving pandemic relief fraud.
- The investigation began after a mass shooting but expanded to reveal a complex financial crime.
- PPP loan fraud totaled around $230,000 stolen.
- Authorities use financial records to build stronger, more definitive cases against suspects.
- Charges carry up to 20 years imprisonment per defendant.
What do you think about this investigation? Have you noticed the increasing use of white-collar crime charges in prosecuting gangs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!