Conrad Brandon Bernard, 24, has been sentenced to 50 months in federal prison for his role in a bank fraud and identity theft scheme that resulted in over $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds and unemployment benefits. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that Bernard's scheme began in May 2020 and lasted until December 2022. He used stolen personal identifying information (PII) to fraudulently obtain fourteen Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) and diverted the funds into his control.
Bernard set up and operated bank accounts in the names of unsuspecting individuals, using their personal information. He also siphoned unemployment benefit payments from states including West Virginia and Arizona without the victims’ consent. The total illegal gain amounted to $1,083,340. Law enforcement discovered evidence of false identifications and PII from thousands of individuals.
The investigation was led by the Diplomatic Security Service's Miami Field Office and the Broward Sheriff's Office, with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deric Zacca, Suzanne Nebesky, and asset forfeiture handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Hyman. The investigation was part of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, which was created in May 2021 to combat pandemic-related fraud through partnerships among various government agencies.
The Southern District of Florida's U.S. Attorney’s Office also leads one of three nationwide COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams, which was initiated by the Department of Justice on Sept. 15, 2022, to combat large-scale fraud. These teams not only prosecute fraud but work to prevent criminal organizations from exploiting pandemic relief programs. The public is urged to report any suspected COVID-19 related fraud to the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or website.
For more information about the Department of Justice's pandemic response and Bernard's case, the public can visit the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida's website or the District Court for the Southern District of Florida's official pages, with the case referenced under number 24-cr-60168.
