Valesky Barosy was an up-and-coming entrepreneur, having immigrated from Haiti and quickly making a name for himself in southern Florida as a million-dollar deal-maker.
When the pandemic hit, he saw a ticket to even faster wealth by helping others steal from COVID-19 business loan programs. He took up to 30% as his cut that prosecutors said he spent on flashy clothes, fancy watches and a fast car — a Lamborghini Huracan Evo.
Barosy, convicted at trial last month for the scam, is far from the only one.
For thousands of unscrupulous people, the government’s pandemic assistance programs were the equivalent of winning scratch-off lottery tickets.
Indeed, that was how Ganell Tubbs, who made off with nearly $2 million in bogus pandemic loans, described her newfound wealth. She sent $150,000 to a relative after saying she had “won the lottery.”
Upon getting the money, Tubbs treated herself to a two-day online shopping spree at Apple, Michael Kors, North Face and Nike.
Jason Carl Pears bought a piano, furniture and luxury goods from Gucci and Louis Vuitton. He also bought two homes, traveled and had plastic surgery.
Shaneesha White, who stole nearly $50,000 in unemployment benefits, also used the money to pay for plastic surgery and to buy drugs.
Luxury car dealers seem to have been particular favorites for fraudsters, with Maseratis, Mercedes, Teslas and even a Rolls Royce or two zooming off the lots. Rolex watches, exotic trips, plastic surgery and real estate…
