A couple from California, Lisa Puente, 43, and Arthur Marquez, 53, were recently arrested for allegedly stealing over $2.1 million in Covid-19 relief funds. The arrest came after a nine-count federal grand jury indictment was issued against them for submitting more than 120 fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities from California state prisoners and out-of-state victims, claiming that the victims used to live and work in California when most of them did not.
According to prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice, Puente and Marquez ran the scheme from February 2020 to August 2023, where they falsely stated in the applications that they were individuals whose employment had been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, making them eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under federal law. The couple used debit cards generated by the claims to withdraw the benefits from ATMs and make purchases from local businesses.
Puente and Marquez are facing charges of six counts of mail fraud, one count of using unauthorized access devices, and one count each of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, they could face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each mail fraud count, up to 10 years in federal prison for the unauthorized access device count, and a mandatory two-year consecutive prison sentence for the aggravated identity theft count. Currently, they are out on bond until their scheduled trial on December 30.
This case highlights the importance of verifying information and identities when applying for government assistance programs to prevent fraud and misuse of funds. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences individuals face when engaging in such illegal activities. The investigation and subsequent arrest of Puente and Marquez demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to hold accountable those who exploit relief programs meant to assist those in need during challenging times.
