News Summary
Zachary Kameron Ramyard, a 23-year-old from Orlando, was sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for orchestrating a scheme that defrauded California’s unemployment benefits program of over $4 million during the COVID-19 pandemic. His fraudulent activities included creating 68 false unemployment applications and using stolen personal information. Besides his prison term, Ramyard was ordered to pay over $1.2 million in restitution. This case highlights the broader issue of COVID-19 related fraud, with over 100 defendants charged in the Southern District of Florida alone.
Orlando Man Gets Nearly Six Years Behind Bars for COVID-19 Fraud
In the sunny city of Orlando, a young man has found himself in quite a pickle, receiving a stiff sentence for running a scheme that swindled over $4 million in unemployment benefits from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD). Zachary Kameron Ramyard, just 23 years old, will be spending the next 71 months, or nearly six years, in federal prison after a judge in South Florida had to put the hammer down on his actions.
How It All Went Down
Ramyard’s fraudulent activities stretched from August 2020 to August 2022, coinciding with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. When many folks were struggling and in need of support, unfortunately, Ramyard and his accomplices decided to exploit the very programs designed to help the unemployed. They submitted fake unemployment insurance claims, leveraging COVID-19 relief measures to line their own pockets.
What’s most shocking is how extensive this scheme was. Ramyard and his crew didn’t just stop at submitting a few claims; they were determined to cash in, creating at least 68 fraudulent applications! They didn’t do this alone; they purchased personal information – including names, dates of birth, and social security numbers of unsuspecting victims – to make their applications look real.
The Troubling Details
To add another layer of deception, Ramyard and his co-conspirators manufactured counterfeit driver licenses. This was a crucial part of their strategy to bypass safeguards in place at the EDD. Using their fabricated identities, they were able to withdraw hundreds of thousands of dollars from ATMs located in various states, thanks to the fraudulent debit cards linked to those bogus unemployment claims.
But what did Ramyard do with all that ill-gotten cash? Instead of using the funds for essential needs, he splurged on luxury items. Yes, in a rather extravagant display, he purchased diamond-studded grills – essentially, jewelry for teeth! It’s mind-boggling to think about how he prioritized such flashy items over helping others in dire need during a global crisis.
Paying the Price
In addition to the hefty prison sentence, Ramyard has been ordered to pay more than $1.2 million in restitution. This puts a considerable dent in his finances, but it’s a necessary step towards addressing the damage done. Unfortunately, he isn’t alone in facing justice. The Southern District of Florida has seen a surge of over 100 defendants charged in various COVID-19 related fraud schemes, highlighting the extensive scale of this issue.
The Wider Impact
Efforts to combat pandemic-related fraud have ramped up significantly. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida is leading the charge in investigating and prosecuting these crimes. In fact, the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force was established in 2021 specifically to tackle the financial misconduct that surfaced during the pandemic. This task force focuses on programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and Unemployment Insurance (UI), all of which were alarmingly exploited during this tumultuous time.
Overall, the total intended loss from defendants involved in these fraud schemes is staggering, exceeding $96 million. Each of these cases serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to protecting public resources meant to assist those truly in need. It’s a harsh lesson, and one that Zachary Kameron Ramyard will be reminded of for many years to come as he serves out his sentence.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Orlando Officer Accused of Fraudulent Schemes Against Vendors
Orlando Police Officer Arrested for Fraud Scheme
Additional Resources
- CBS News: Florida Man Sentenced for COVID Fraud
- CBS 12: Orlando Man Gets Nearly 6 Years for COVID Fraud
- West Orlando News: Over 100 Florida Defendants Charged with COVID Fraud
- Miami Herald: COVID-19 Fraud Cases in Florida
- Google Search: COVID-19 Fraud
