A Sussex County, New Jersey, man was found guilty by a jury of fraudulently obtaining more than $2.1 million in Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans and laundering the proceeds, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced on May 28.
Nikenson Jean Mathurin, also known as Nik Mathurin or Jean Mathurin, 46, of Sparta, was convicted of three counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering on May 21 following a four-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court. Sentencing is scheduled for October 6.
“Pandemic relief programs were created to help struggling businesses keep workers employed and survive a national emergency—not to serve as a personal payday for fraudsters. The evidence at trial showed that Mathurin submitted fraudulent loan applications packed with fake payroll records, false tax documents, and fabricated business information to obtain more than $2.1 million in federal relief funds. This Office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who stole taxpayer-funded emergency assistance for personal gain,” said Frazer.
Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan of IRS Criminal Investigation said, “Individuals who exploit pandemic relief programs undermine the integrity of our financial system and divert vital resources intended to support Americans in times of crisis. Through deception and fraud, Mathurin stole more than $2 million from the very businesses these programs were created to help. This verdict underscores IRS-CI’s commitment to protecting taxpayer funds and holding those who abuse these programs accountable.”
According to documents filed in this case and evidence presented at trial, beginning in April 2020 Mathurin participated in a scheme involving fifteen fraudulent loan applications submitted on behalf of businesses he claimed to own using false payroll records, tax documents, gross revenue figures, number of employees data, among other fabricated information.
Each wire fraud charge carries up to 20 years imprisonment; the money laundering charge carries up to 10 years imprisonment; each charge also carries a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved.
The investigation was conducted by special agents from IRS Criminal Investigation under Piovesan’s direction; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Stark and Fatime Meka Cano are representing the government.
The District’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force is one of five such groups nationwide established by the Department of Justice focusing on large-scale pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations or transnational actors through interagency teams led by prosecutors with data analysis support.
On April 7th the Department announced creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division supporting President Trump’s Task Force chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance aimed at eliminating waste within federal benefit programs.
Anyone with information about attempted COVID-19-related fraud can contact the Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or submit tips online via its web complaint form.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey prosecutes federal crimes statewide—including cases like this—and represents the United States in civil matters across New Jersey; it operates offices in Newark, Trenton and Camden with about 170 attorneys/staff covering community safety initiatives through law enforcement coordination, according to the official website.
