Federal Prosecutors Accuse Former Florida Politician Carolina Amesty Of Pandemic Relief Fraud
Former Florida politician Carolina Amesty is facing accusations of defrauding the federal loan program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A criminal complaint says the former Florida state representative filed 15 applications to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Amesty filed the applications in 2020. As a result, she received thousands of dollars in loans meant to help businesses and nonprofits hurt by the pandemic.
However, investigators say Amesty misrepresented information in applications for at least two of those organizations. The entities were the Carolina Amesty Foundation Incorporated and Dinocar Auto Sales LLC.
Prosecutors say Amesty misrepresented information including their gross revenues. In addition, they allege she also lied about number of employees,
Authorities also allege she lied about when the entities were even incorporated.
Investigators also say that Dinocar Auto Sales did not have a license to operate as a car dealer in Florida. The business allegedly submitted a dealer registration form for another company. Dinocar also submitted invoices showing the purchase of vehicles by the other company.
However, investigators say they interviewed that company’s owner. He claimed his dealer license was used to buy vehicles at auction for a relative of Amesty’s. He also said he did not recognize Dinocar Auto Sales LLC.
The criminal complaint claims subpoenaed bank statements show money from the loans was funneled to other businesses or people.
FBI analysis found loan money transferred from the Dinocar account was used for personal expenses. These expenses included credit card payments and furniture purchases.
The complaint accuses Amesty of embezzling $122,000 in federal loan dollars. This includes $84,500 through Carolina Amesty Foundation and $37,500 through Dinocar Auto Sales LLC.
The two counts of theft of government property carry a maximum of 10 years in federal prison.
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