Phoenix man sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for COVID fraud, firearm offenses

A Phoenix man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for fraudulently obtaining nearly $2.2 million in COVID-19 relief loans and illegally possessing a gun, authorities said.

Mohammed Maio, 44, submitted false information to get loans for businesses that had no employees, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. This was between May 2020 and March 2024.

Instead of using the money for business expenses, he used it for personal gain, including buying multiple properties.

Maio also had his mother buy a gun for him because he was a convicted felon, prosecutors said. He admitted that he had her falsely claim the gun was for her and that he later illegally possessed it.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine said this kind of fraud makes federal aid programs less effective and leaves taxpayers to cover the losses.

“Maio’s actions resulted in significant financial loss to the U.S. government and exploited a program intended to provide relief to small businesses during a national crisis,” Courchaine said in the announcement.

Maio pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering and firearm-related charges.

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