Passaic Co. Lawyer Defrauded COVID-Relief Funds: Feds

CLIFTON, NJ — A Passaic County attorney faces federal charges after fraudulently obtaining hundreds of thousands from federal COVID-19 relief programs, according to federal authorities.

Morton Chirnomas, of Clifton, was charged Tuesday with one count of wire fraud. If convicted, the 60-year-old faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of twice the gross profit or loss from the offense.

Chirnomas applied for increased unemployment benefits using 26 different names, receiving about $195,000, the U.S. Department of Justice says. Detectives have spoken to 18 of the victims, who said they didn't know the attorney, authorities said.

He also received a $149,900 through the Economic Injury Disaster Loans program for small businesses under the name of an undisclosed company, according to federal officials. The owner of that company told authorities they never applied for the loan and didn't know Chirnomas, the complaint states.

The attorney is administratively ineligible to practice law in New Jersey.