A fraud investigator with the New York City Department of Homeless Services has been accused of committing fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. The investigator, identified as 48-year-old Alba Carrasquillo, allegedly used falsified documents to obtain nearly $200,000 in pandemic relief funds from the Small Business Administration.
According to authorities, Carrasquillo misrepresented herself as the owner of a home health care services company and submitted fraudulent financial documents in support of her loan application. It was later discovered that Carrasquillo did not own the company and had no authority to apply for the relief funds.
The investigation into Carrasquillo’s actions began after a financial institution reported suspicious activity related to the loan application. The NYPD’s Financial Crimes Task Force subsequently launched an investigation, which led to Carrasquillo’s arrest. She has been charged with wire fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
This incident has raised concerns about the integrity of public officials tasked with investigating fraud, as Carrasquillo’s role in the Department of Homeless Services involved uncovering fraudulent activities related to housing and homeless services. It remains unclear how long Carrasquillo had been engaging in fraudulent activities, and whether her actions have affected the cases she was assigned to investigate.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in government agencies, especially when it comes to ensuring the proper use of taxpayer funds during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Carrasquillo’s alleged actions not only undermine public trust but also highlight the need for robust oversight measures to prevent fraud and abuse within government agencies.
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