A man from Marietta has been sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison for defrauding federal COVID-19 relief funds and the IRS. Carl Delano Torjagbo, who has also used the name Karl Lucius Delano, was convicted on multiple charges, including bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. According to a report from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Torjagbo’s scheme involved a fraudulent $9.6 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and the submission of false tax returns that resulted in a $3.4 million IRS refund.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated that Torjagbo defrauded the government of $13 million in taxpayer funds. Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, described the case as one of the largest single instances of PPP loan fraud. Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Atlanta, highlighted the agency’s commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that those who commit fraud are held accountable.
The investigation into Torjagbo began after he filed individual tax returns containing false information, including claims of over $3 million in tax withholdings from a nonexistent gold mining operation in Ghana. This resulted in the U.S. Treasury issuing him a check for more than $3.3 million. Three days later, he submitted a fraudulent PPP loan application using fabricated tax documents that listed both celebrities and fictional characters as employees. Torjagbo used the loan funds to pay personal debts, purchase a residence in Marietta, and acquire luxury vehicles, including a BMW M850xi and a Lamborghini Aventador.
During the trial on July 25, 2025, a jury found Torjagbo guilty on all charges. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Michael L. Brown sentenced him to nearly 15 years in prison and ordered restitution of at least $3,366,240.76, along with the forfeiture of millions in cash and assets, including vehicles and real estate. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly K. Connors and Nicholas L. Evert led the prosecution. The case was investigated as part of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force’s efforts to address pandemic-related fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office provides contact information for those seeking more information or wishing to report fraud.
