A federal grand jury has indicted Joseph Kaminski, 58, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, for allegedly attempting to defraud the U.S. Small Business Administration out of more than $850,000 in COVID-19 emergency relief funds. As first reported by Bob Kalinowski of The Citizens’ Voice, the charges include wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims. This case underscores the federal government’s continued effort to hold individuals accountable for pandemic-related fraud and protect taxpayer-funded relief programs.
According to the indictment, Kaminski sought emergency EIDL funds meant to support struggling small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, though authorities have not confirmed what business, if any, he operated or whether he received the full amount requested. In addition to the EIDL application, Kaminski is also accused of unlawfully obtaining over $40,000 in unemployment benefits from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry by misrepresenting his eligibility.
The case was investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigations Division and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. It falls under the broader work of the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force, a federal initiative launched in May 2021 to combat widespread abuse of pandemic aid programs.
If convicted, Kaminski could face up to 20 years in federal prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to encourage anyone with information about suspected COVID-related fraud to contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud via hotline (866-720-5721) or online through the Department of Justice.
Kaminski’s indictment serves as a reminder of the government’s ongoing vigilance in investigating relief fraud and emphasizes the importance of transparency and integrity in all aid applications—especially during national emergencies when resources are scarce and public trust is paramount.