Muhammad Atta of Eastvale pleaded guilty Aug. 2 to submitting 11 false COVID relief applications throughout 2020 to fraudulently gain $6.6 million dollars.
Atta wired the money to his family in Islamabad, Pakistan, according to the indictment against him.
His wife declined by phone to comment on the case.
Atta claimed his Fontana Circle K convenience store had 174 employees, gaining $1.9 million from the fraud, the indictment says.
Paycheck Protection Program documents show the store is at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Citrus Avenue.
In addition to the Circle K, Atta submitted for aid for multiple shell companies, including American Auto Barn, Envisioning Future, Wermer Construction, and Camel and Camel, according to the plea agreement.
Atta received seven Paycheck Protection Program payments, and applied four times to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program through the Small Business Association, according to the indictment.
Atta claimed Envisioning Future employed 73 workers, and gained $1.3 million through the Paycheck Protection Program for that program alone.
Atta stole the identity of an Illinois prisoner to carry out his scheme, the indictment says.
He wired the money, from Envisioning Future’s business account, to a bank account controlled by his mother in Islamabad, Pakistan, the agreement says.
The agreement suggested at least 29 years of imprisonment, and his sentence on both counts carry a maximum penalty of 40 years combined. He will be sentenced Oct. 17.
Case information
The Department of Justice filed their indictment against Atta Dec. 18, 2020.
Jennifer Bilinkas and Adam Schleifer represented the Department of Justice.
H. Dean Steward of Newport Beach represented Atta.
California Central District Judge Percy Anderson presided.
Case number 2:2022-cr-00323.
Read the indictment here.
Read the plea deal here.
