Fort Myers man pleads guilty to $1.3M COVID-19 loan fraud

Evan Graves, 40, of Lee County, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a $1.35 million COVID-19 relief fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg says in a Thursday news release.

Graves faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, Handberg, of the U.S. Middle District of Florida, says. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

As part of his guilty plea, Graves, of Alva, agreed to forfeit approximately $1,355,600 and six properties in Fort Myers that he purchased or funded using proceeds of the fraud, Handberg says.