Miami, Florida – A U.S. District Judge handed down a 71-month federal prison term earlier this week, on March 7, to a 39-year-old Miami resident, Andre Lorquet.
Check also: Suspended physician unlawfully prescribed controlled substances, sentenced to prison for PPP and drug fraud
This sentence was for his role in fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans and grants through various programs designed to support businesses during the pandemic. The programs targeted were the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Economic Injury Disaster Relief Program (EIDL), and the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant (SVOG).
A Scheme Unveiled
Court records reveal Lorquet’s audacious attempt to exploit these relief efforts, where he sought over $4.7 million by submitting fraudulent applications. In these applications, he grossly misrepresented his revenue and payroll figures, along with submitting fake IRS tax forms to support his claims.
The scam proved momentarily successful, netting Lorquet around $4.4 million in relief funds. However, instead of using these funds for their intended purpose, Lorquet diverted them to fund an extravagant lifestyle. His purchases included two Tesla S models, a Lamborghini Urus, a Porsche Panamera GTS, and an array of luxury items. Among these were a diamond-encrusted Audemars Piguet watch, a rose gold and diamond pendant featuring his company’s logo, a half-kilogram gold chain adorned with 70 carats of diamonds, and a 1-kilogram gold chain.
