Seven people were charged in federal court on Long Island on Wednesday with stealing $44 million in Covid-19 relief funds, in what prosecutors claim is the largest case involving money intended to keep employees afloat during the pandemic.
The defendants filed more than 8,000 quarterly payroll tax returns between November 2021 and June 2023 in an effort to claim more than $600 million in pandemic relief funds through three programs: the Employee Retention Credit, the Sick and Family Leave Credit and the Paycheck Protection Program.
One of the defendants, Jamari Lewis, even bragged about his fraud in a rap song, the indictment alleges. Prosecutors said Lewis, 26, who raps under the name “Mr. Chaketah,” recorded a track titled “I’m So Sophisticated (IRS).” Lyrics include, “That government bread I ran that shit up, like how am I gon’ lose?”
Defendants used the money to buy jewelry, designer clothing and luxury cars, the indictment said.
“The defendants shamefully took advantage of a global health emergency to line their pockets with millions of dollars that were intended for struggling families and small businesses just trying to stay afloat and lavished themselves with luxury goods,” said U.S. Attorney John Durham in a statement.
Six defendants were arrested on Wednesday, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Central Islip on Long Island and were released on bond. According to the indictment, they are Keith Williams, 46, of West Hempstead; Janine Davis, 41, of Wheatley Heights; Morais Dicks, 55, of Dix Hills; James Hames Jr., 65, of Campbell Hall; Ewendra Mathurin, 32, of Queens Village; and Tiffany Williams, 41, of Brooklyn.
Lewis, a Queens resident, is expected to be arraigned at a later date.
Christopher Cassar, a lawyer for Keith Williams, said, “We feel the government is overreaching with these charges, and they will be unable to prove conspiracy, tax crime or any attempt to defraud the United States government.”
Another defense attorney, Darnell Crosland, issued this statement: “Morais Dicks firmly denies the allegations against him and is determined to clear his name. While the indictment includes multiple defendants, it is crucial to distinguish Mr. Dicks’ actions and intentions from those of others.”
Attorneys for the other defendants could not immediately be reached.
