David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, along with Ketty Larco-Ward from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Harry Chavis from IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that Tony Sterlin Cantave of Shelton has pleaded guilty to defrauding a COVID-19 pandemic relief program. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven.
Cantave admitted to submitting a fraudulent application for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) under the CARES Act in June 2020. His application falsely claimed that his business, Arbitrage 1 Media, was legitimate and involved in limousine services and that he was not significantly delinquent on child support obligations. As a result of this deception, Cantave received $96,200 which he used for personal expenses including paying off an automobile loan.
Cantave pleaded guilty to theft of government money and making an illegal monetary transaction, each carrying a potential maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. He has agreed to pay restitution totaling $104,176.21.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang following investigations by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation Division.
Individuals with information about COVID-19 related fraud are urged to contact the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline or submit details via their online form.
