Lisa Puente, 43, of Rialto, and Arthur Marquez, 53, both from San Bernardino County, were arrested following a nine-count federal grand jury indictment for allegedly obtaining over $2.1 million in Covid-19 relief funds. The duo is accused of submitting more than 120 fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities from California state prisoners and out-of-state victims. These applications falsely claimed that the victims used to live and work in California, although most of them did not reside in the state. The scheme reportedly ran from February 2020 to August 2023.
According to prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice, Puente and Marquez claimed in their fraudulent applications that they were individuals whose employment had been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing them to qualify for unemployment insurance benefits under federal law. The duo allegedly used debit cards generated from the claims to withdraw benefits from ATMs and make purchases at local businesses. They have been charged with six counts of mail fraud, one count of unauthorized access devices, and one count each of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each mail fraud count, up to 10 years for the unauthorized access device count, and a mandatory two-year consecutive prison sentence for the aggravated identity theft count.
Puente and Marquez are currently out on bond pending their scheduled trial on December 30. The case highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing and prosecuting instances of fraud related to Covid-19 relief funds. The investigation into their alleged misconduct reveals how some individuals have sought to exploit government assistance programs designed to provide financial support to those affected by the pandemic for personal gain. The indictment serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilant oversight and enforcement measures to safeguard relief funds and prevent fraud.
The arrest of Puente and Marquez underscores the necessity for robust systems and procedures to verify the authenticity of claims for Covid-19 relief funds. The use of stolen identities in fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits exposes vulnerabilities in the administration of relief programs and underscores the need for enhanced security and verification measures to prevent abuse. As the investigation progresses, law enforcement agencies will likely seek to identify and prosecute additional individuals involved in similar schemes to defraud government assistance programs.
The case of Puente and Marquez serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of engaging in fraudulent schemes to obtain Covid-19 relief funds. The allegations against them highlight the serious legal repercussions that individuals can face for participating in illegal activities related to relief programs. By holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, law enforcement aims to deter others from engaging in similar fraudulent behavior and protect the integrity of government assistance programs intended to aid those affected by the pandemic. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of the trial will shed further light on the extent of the alleged fraud and the impact it has had on the victims whose identities were stolen as part of the scheme.
