New Jersey Man Faces Conviction for $570,000 COVID Fraud Scheme

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced today that Jose Tavares, 37, of Englewood, New Jersey, has been convicted of conspiring to illegally acquire over $570,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits. The conviction followed a five-day jury trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court, culminating in a guilty verdict on October 28 for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Co-Conspirators Involved

Tavares worked alongside co-conspirators Yanira Abreu, 43, of Keasby, New Jersey, and Christopher Valerio, 34, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Both Abreu and Valerio previously pleaded guilty to related charges and have been sentenced by Judge Kirsch as part of this conspiracy.

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Fraudulent Activities

Court documents indicate that from July 2020 to February 2021, Tavares, along with Valerio, Abreu, and others, submitted fraudulent unemployment insurance applications to the New York Department of Labor (NYDOL). They created fake online profiles using the personal information of unsuspecting individuals, including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers.

Once the NYDOL processed these fraudulent applications, Tavares and his co-conspirators obtained debit cards loaded with over $570,000 in benefits. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports that the funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, including vacations, luxury retail purchases, and cosmetic surgery.

Legal Consequences

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, along with a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved in the fraud. Tavares is scheduled for sentencing on March 4, 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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