Hillsborough County man convicted of federal pandemic loan fraud

A federal jury has found Alexander Alli, 39, of Riverview, guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud, according to a press statement from U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg.

Alli faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 10. Alli was indicted Jan. 18, 2023.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Alli submitted a fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan application to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Handberg says.

Alli then "falsely represented that he had a business suffering injury due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the (loan) funds would be used only for business-related purposes," the release from the U.S. Middle District of Florida says. Alli's business had actually ceased operations prior to the start of the pandemic and was no longer operational at the time his loan application was submitted.

Alli's false and fraudulent representations caused the SBA to approve and fund a total of $82,500 in loan funds — funds that he spent on non-business-related purposes, Handberg's office says.

In May 2021, the U.S. attorney general established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud, Handberg's office says.

The case was investigated by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Peresie and Merrilyn Hoenemeyer, according to the Middle District office.