A dozen people have been charged after allegedly working together to steal millions from a program created during the COVID pandemic meant to help businesses, according to the New Jersey District Attorney’s Office.
According to investigators, the individuals in question are accused of obtaining official documents from various firms and then using those documents to steal checks and transfer the money into false bank accounts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
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The offenses occurred between March 2023 and March 2025, according to officials. Many of the stolen checks were issued using the Treasury Department’s Employee Retention Credit, which was designed to assist businesses in keeping their staff under COVID.
“COVID-19 relief programs, including the Employee Retention Credit, were implemented to help honest Americans keep their jobs during an unprecedented time of hardship,” stated Jenifer L. Piovesan, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation.
According to officials, the group allegedly stole 84 Treasury Department checks and 27 commercial checks totaling more than $11 million, which was divided among the suspects.
The people listed below have been charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud:
- Wayne Bessant, 44, of Hamilton, NJ
- Britany Brown, 39, of Philadelphia, Pa.
- John Gerard Ebert, 42, of Hamilton, NJ
- Joseph Graves-Carmichael, 43, of Trenton, NJ
- Andrew Hooper, 37, of New Brunswick, NJ
- Thomas Lee, 55, of Beverly, NJ
- Patricia Kearse, 46, of Philadelphia, Pa.
- Clarence Semmon, 41, of Trenton, NJ
- Ryan Small, 32, of Ewing, NJ
- Dwayne Reddon, 39, of Trenton, NJ
- Shabazz Rouzard, 33, of Ewing, NJ
- Raymond Wade, 42, of Morrisville, Pa.
Each alleged suspect faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
