Phoenix man sentenced to 10 years for COVID relief fraud

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 01:03 · Archive

A Phoenix man was sentenced to ten years in prison for fraudulently obtaining $2.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

Mohammed Maio, 44, of Phoenix was sentenced to ten years in prison for stealing COVID-19 relief funds. Between May 2020 and March 2024, he conspired to fraudulently obtain and misuse relief funds intended to help small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. By submitting false information, he was granted nearly $2.2 million in loans for multiple businesses without any employees, which he then used for 'personal enrichment', including buying multiple properties, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

Maio pleaded guilty in July to charges of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said that 'Maio's actions resulted in significant financial loss to the U.S. government and exploited a program intended to provide relief to small businesses during a national crisis'.

Beyond the fraud charges, Maio also admitted to arranging for his mother to buy a firearm for him in May 2021 and having her lie on the purchase application, falsely claiming the firearm was intended for her own use. He was charged with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. His parents, Souzan El-Sayed and Abukar Maio, were also indicted in the scheme and both pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

How it is being reported

• Phoenix man sentenced to 10 years for stealing $2.2M in COVID loansMohammed Maio conspired to fraudulently obtain and misuse relief funds meant to help small businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.KOLD · 14 Oct, 23:44
• Phoenix man sentenced to 10 years for stealing $2.2M in COVID loansMohammed Maio conspired to fraudulently obtain and misuse relief funds meant to help small businesses stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.Azfamily · 14 Oct, 23:44

In this story: Mohammed Maio · Phoenix · U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona · Timothy Courchaine · Souzan El-Sayed · Abukar Maio

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