East Providence Man Charged With COVID-19 Relief Fraud

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — An East Providence man was charged in federal court Wednesday after prosecutors said he filed eight fraudulent loan applications seeking more than $337,000 in COVID-19 relief business loans.

Kevin Mancieri, 48, was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to court documents, Mancieri applied for eight loans, two in his name and six in other people's names. Prosecutors said the applications were submitted under the names of four sole proprietorships claiming to perform flooring and carpeting services.

The applications falsely represented that numerous employees worked for these different companies, when, in fact, there were few, if any, such employees, prosecutors said. The applications were also supported with digitally altered personal bank statements, business bank account records, and tax records, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Mancieri fraudulently asked for at least $337,096 in forgivable Small Business Administration loans, and his application caused at least $13,414 to be dispersed.

Mancieri personally received $29,038 in loan proceeds and conspired with others to receive up to half of the proceeds disbursed to other entities, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Mancieri also received at least $49,400 in kickbacks for applying for fraudulent loans for his associates.

Mancieri was ordered detained following his initial appearance in court.