A former employee of the United States Agency for International Development, Simeon Bakare, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for illegally obtaining more than $176,000 through fraudulent COVID-19 relief claims.
Bakare, 55, a resident of Waldorf, Maryland, entered the guilty plea before a federal court on Wednesday, admitting his involvement in a scheme that targeted pandemic relief programmes established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
The case was announced by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, Kelly O. Hayes, alongside Eduardo Santos, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the USAID Office of Inspector General.
According to court documents, Bakare worked in information technology at USAID and carried out the fraudulent activities between April 2020 and November 2021.
Prosecutors said he knowingly submitted several false applications for financial assistance under the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan scheme, both created to help businesses survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigators disclosed that Bakare used fabricated records, including falsified tax documents and misleading claims about sole proprietorship businesses, to secure the loans and loan forgiveness benefits.
The authorities further revealed that the businesses listed in the applications had little or no genuine operations, employees, office space, or revenue. Funds obtained through the scheme were allegedly diverted for personal expenses, including housing costs, vehicle payments, and groceries.
Bakare faces up to 20 years imprisonment following his conviction on the wire fraud charge. His sentencing has been scheduled for September 3.
