Chinese citizen goes to jail for defrauding US$20 million in COVID-19 support

Muge Ma falsely claimed that one of his companies was helping the then governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, to buy a COVID-19 test kit – Illustration: AFP

According to AP news agency, Judge Richard M Berman sentenced Chinese citizen Muge Ma to 4 years and 4 months in prison at a trial in Manhattan, New York City, USA on April 21.

The judge said a prison sentence was necessary in this case because of the gravity of the crime, and to warn others about the abuse of government programs aimed at helping people in difficult situations. national emergency.

Muge Ma (38 years old) was arrested by US federal authorities in May 2020. Authorities said Ma applied to at least five banks to receive government-guaranteed loans of more than $20 million from the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Loan Program. disaster. Both programs are applicable to businesses damaged by anti-epidemic measures.

Authorities say Mr. Ma falsely claimed that he needed a loan to pay the millions of dollars in wages for hundreds of employees through two companies he controlled.

Prosecutors say Mr. Ma sought to prove his claim by submitting dishonest tax, insurance and payroll filings, and providing banks with links to websites. describes his company as having “global” operations.

However, in reality at the time, Ma was working alone in his $1.5 million Manhattan apartment and without the hundreds of employees Ma said.

This person also falsely claimed that one of his companies was representing the state of New York and helping the then Governor Andrew Cuomo buy a COVID-19 test kit and protective equipment for frontline anti-epidemic staff. head.

Before the sentence was handed down, Mr. Ma repeatedly apologized. He is a lawful permanent resident, having come to the US in 2011 on a student visa. “I love America. I’m so sorry America,” Ma said.