Couple who fled U.S. are returned to start sentences for $20 million COVID fraud
The San Fernando Valley coupleafter being convicted of a multi-million dollar COVID-19 loan scheme were returned to Los Angeles Thursday, Nov. 17 by authorities.
A federal jury convicted Richard Ayvazyan and his wife Marietta Terabelian of fraudulently obtaining more than $20 million in COVID-19 relief funds in June 2021, according to court documents. The couple were part of a Los Angeles-based fraud ring where dozens of fake or stolen identities were used to submit false applications for COVID-19 relief loan programs, such as the Paycheck Protection Program , prosecutors said. The money was then spent on luxury homes, jewelry, watches, furniture and handbags.
The FBI’s $20,000 reward was never claimed because the couple was found through their investigation, not a tip, Eimiller said. A new criminal case regarding their international flight has not been filed by the Department of Justice as of Friday, said DOJ spokesperson Thom Mrozek.