The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced today that Jose Tavares, a 37-year-old resident of Englewood, New Jersey, has been convicted of conspiring to illegally acquire over $570,000 in COVID-19 unemployment benefits.
Jury Trial and Conviction
Following a five-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court, Tavares was found guilty on October 28 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Co-Conspirators and Their Pleas
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Tavares collaborated with co-conspirators Yanira Abreu, 43, of Keasby, New Jersey, and Christopher Valerio, 34, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Abreu and Valerio previously pleaded guilty to related charges…..