Robert Mirumyan, 31, of Porter Ranch, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for conning the California Employment Development Department (EDD) out of more than $800,000 in COVID-19 jobless benefits, cites Monday's press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
In June, Mirumyan pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He admitted to masterminding a scheme of using stolen identities trying to apply for unemployment insurance benefits through the EDD. United States District Judge Percy Anderson also ordered him to pay $804,579 in restitution.
U.S. Private Vaults, a Beverly Hills-based company, became significant in this case after the FBI conducted a search and seizure. It led to the discovery of a safety deposit box owned by Mirumyan's spouse, which held $400,000 in cash. The company, that provided private safety deposit box servicing without bank KYC regulations, pleaded guilty in 2022 for conspiring to launder money with its clients.
According to court documents, Mirumyan and his cohorts utilized other people's identities to apply for EDD benefits. The significance of committing such a crime goes beyond just monetary loss; it impacts those struggling with job loss during the pandemic.
Judge Anderson called Mirumyan's actions "galling" and "callous." Despite having talents and opportunities to earn a legitimate income, Mirumyan chose illicit activities for gaining wealth, living luxuriously including owning a million-dollar home complete with a swimming pool.
