Pair of COVID-19 loan fraud arrests made in Tampa Bay

Two Tampa Bay residents have been arrested in separate incidents on multiple indictments of wire fraud following investigations they submitted false and fraudulent PPP loan applications. 

Rosson Hamilton, 40, of Brandon, and David Antonetti, 28, of Riverview, face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud. 

Between February 2021 and January 2022, authorities allege Hamilton made false claims on his Paycheck Protection Program application, a resource provided by the Small Business Administration as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The loan proceeds were electronically transferred into his bank account. An investigation completed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency concluded that two counts of wire fraud were committed, according to a statement. 

Officials allege Antonetti, meanwhile, submitted two false PPP loan applications between March 2021 and October 2021. He faces. two counts of wire fraud.

U.S Attorney General Roger Handburg’s office, of the Middle District of Florida, announced the arrests. The area's COVID Fraud Task Force prosecuted 77 other people as of February, the office says.  

The Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in May 2021in an effort to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor is prosecuting the case.