Tamarac Deputy Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Alexandra “Alex” Acosta {Facebook}

A Tamarac resident and Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy was sentenced in her role for COVID-19 fraud.

Alexandra Acosta, 38, was sentenced to four months in federal prison on Monday after being convicted of defrauding the Small Business Administration (SBA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Justice.

Acosta, who also served as a Broward Sheriff’s Office SWAT team member, was found guilty on multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud the SBA, making false statements, and wire fraud.

The conviction stems from a scheme in which Acosta conspired with her tax preparer, Vilsaint St. Louis, to fraudulently obtain a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in 2021. Acosta, who falsely claimed to be a sole proprietor working as a realtor, submitted falsified IRS tax forms to support her application.

She secured over $20,000 in PPP funds, which she later sought and received forgiveness for.

In addition to her prison sentence, the U.S. Senior District Judge ordered Acosta to pay a $4,000 fine, Although Acosta has since repaid the fraudulently obtained loan.

According to the Department of Justice, St. Louis, who pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, has already been sentenced for his role in the scheme.

This case is part of a broader effort by the Department of Justice’s COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, established in May 2021 to combat pandemic-related fraud.

The Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office was selected in September 2022 to lead one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams, further intensifying the government’s focus on uncovering and prosecuting financial crimes related to the pandemic.

The public is encouraged to report any suspected fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or  justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form

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