A Woodbridge man has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for defrauding a COVID-19 pandemic relief program of more than $2.3 million, federal prosecutors said.
Yasir G. Hamed, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 32 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $2.38 million in restitution.
According to court records, Hamed, an accountant, submitted fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications between June 2020 and September 2021 on behalf of several New Haven-based businesses and clients. Prosecutors said the applications overstated employee counts and payroll expenses and included false tax filings that were never submitted to the IRS.
Hamed obtained more than $2.3 million in PPP loans, receiving more than $1 million for himself and his family, authorities said. Prosecutors said he used the funds for personal expenses, including a down payment on a Woodbridge home.
Hamed pleaded guilty in May to bank fraud and engaging in illegal monetary transactions. He is scheduled to report to prison Jan. 28.
