Conrad Brandon Bernard, 24, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and identity theft in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $1 million in COVID-19 relief loans and unemployment compensation payments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced today.
According to the department, from May 2020 through December 2022, Bernard fraudulently applied for 14 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) using the names and personal identifying information (PII) of other individuals without their knowledge or consent.
Once the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved the fraudulent applications, the funds were deposited into various bank accounts at Bernard’s direction, the department stated.
Prosecutors said Bernard then transferred those funds into other accounts under his control, including accounts he created using the stolen identities of additional victims.
Bernard also used stolen PII to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits in multiple states, including West Virginia and Arizona, the department confirmed.