By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Maxwell Book
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 28 – Franklin Ray and Joseph Winget are charged with more than $1 million Paycheck Protection Program fraud through their trucking company, CSA Business Solutions LLC.
On May 18, 2022 U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Analisa Torres held a conference. Inner City Press covered it.
The complaint details the use of falsified forms.
On May 18 after a discussion of documents seized from Ray's home, Judge Torres set an "aspirational" trial date of February 13, 2023.
On March 28, 2023 Ray pled guilty to four counts of wire fraud, including one count of wire fraud while released under conditions of bail, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
On November 14, the US Attorney's Office asked for a sentence of 204 months, saying it "recognizes it is seeking a lengthy sentence."
But on November 28, Ray got 212 months, the top of the guideline. Inner City Press was there; thread:
OK- at sentencing of PPP trucking fraudster Franklin Ray. His lawyer is asking for 10 years: US wants 17 years.
AUSA: With respect to the Christmas toys, this email refers to 10 families helped - that's not correct. [US Attorney's Office's victims coordinator is here]
Judge: The guideline is 175 to 212 months. Mr Ray was in Operation Desert Storm. He's been convicted before
Judge: He lied to lenders and to the SBA: he defrauded investors that he had a trucking company, as a Ponzi scheme.
Judge: Your victims are unlikely to be made whole. You are sentenced to 212 months [top of guideline]
The case is US v. Ray et al., 22-cr-228 (Torres)
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