A woman from Middlesex County, New Jersey, has admitted to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief funds. Damaris Valerio, also known as Damaris Tineo Abreu, 42, of Perth Amboy, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch.
The case details reveal that between April 2020 and December 2021, Valerio acquired $194,212 in emergency relief funds intended for small businesses and unemployed workers. She submitted false applications exaggerating her business’s financial status to secure loans and benefits under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and pandemic unemployment insurance. The misappropriated funds were then used for personal purposes.
Valerio faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and a potential fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved. The money laundering charge could result in an additional 10-year sentence and a similar fine structure. Sentencing is set for October 28, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba acknowledged the efforts of several agencies in the investigation: special agents from Homeland Security Investigations led by Special Agent Ricky J. Patel; the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General under Jonathan Mellone; and the Social Security Administration’s Office led by Amy Connelly.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin D. Bleiberg and Fatime Meka Cano are handling the prosecution.
This case is part of a broader effort by the District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force, one of five established across the United States by the Department of Justice to combat large-scale pandemic relief frauds involving criminal organizations.
Individuals with information about COVID-19 related fraud can report it via the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or through their online complaint form.
Defense counsel for Valerio is John Russo from New York.
