Florida Man Accused of Obtaining $2.1 Million in COVID-19 Relief Loans Fraudulent Scheme

President Joe Biden speaks about the American Rescue Plan and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses in response to coronavirus in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, on Feb. 22, 2021. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

A Florida man has been charged with fraudulently obtaining $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the Department of Justice announced on Dec. 29. 

Valesky Barosy, 27, of Ft. Lauderdale appeared in federal magistrate court last week. Prosecutors claim that he submitted fraudulent loan applications on behalf of himself and his accomplices seeking more than $4.2 million in PPP loans.