$400K Loan Scheme At York Tax Prep Company Ends With CEO's Guilty Plea: DOJ
A Pennsylvania tax prep CEO has pleaded guilty in a federal case involving fraudulent pandemic relief loans, the FBI announced on Monday, Dec. 22.
Dommonick T. Chatman, 50, of York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to one count of bank fraud tied to false Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications filed through his company, The Chatman Group LLC, according to U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
Chatman admitted that over several months in 2021, he either prepared or approved fraudulent PPP loan applications for nearly 20…
These States Have Highest Flu Rates As Christmas Arrives: See Map
Flu season is ramping up across the country, with several states now experiencing severe or rising levels of illness, and a fast-spreading “super flu” variant is driving the surge.
The CDC’s latest FluView report for the week ending Saturday, Dec. 13, shows widespread influenza activity in nearly every region, with the Northeast and Mountain West hit especially hard.
As of Monday, Dec. 16, the CDC estimated that flu cases are growing or likely growing in 47 states. According to the agency, “very high” flu activity has been detected in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Col…
Covid-19 Cases 'Growing' Or 'Likely Growing' In 31 States, CDC Says
A late-summer COVID uptick is gaining momentum.
Infections are “growing” or “likely growing” in 31 states, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) said after releasing new data Tuesday, Sept. 2, even as the national share of emergency department visits for COVID remains low.
The CDC’s transmission model, based on emergency department trends through Aug. 26, estimates:
In the Northeast, trends are mixed. Connecticut is flagged as growing.
Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are likely growing.
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode …
'Our Pesticides Kill COVID:' Cherry Hill Biotech Founder, Philly Firm Hit With Federal Charges
A New Jersey man and the Philadelphia-based biotech company he founded are accused of selling pesticides with false claims that they could kill the virus that causes COVID-19, federal prosecutors said.
James Young, 46, of Cherry Hill — founder of ViaClean Technologies, LLC — was charged by indictment with conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, mail fraud, and violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), according to U.S. Attorney David Metcalf.
Sean Storrie, 59, of Philadelphia, was also charged with FIFRA violations, prosecutors said.
The indictm…
Covid-19: Highly Transmissible Strains Spark Summer Surge In Some States
New surveillance shows COVID-19 is quietly heating up at the height of summer, fueling concerns about travel plans and back-to-school prep.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) time-varying reproductive number dashboard, seven states now have a rate above 1.2, meaning each infected person is, on average, passing the virus to more than one other individual.
Louisiana tops the list with an Rt of 1.28, followed closely by Florida (1.24), Nevada (1.22), and Hawaii (1.21). Texas, Mississippi and Alabama are hovering just above the 1.15 mark, signaling sus…
Perth Amboy Beauty Salon Owner Admits She Fraudulently Obtained Covid Loan: Feds
A 42-year-old Perth Amboy woman pleaded guilty on Wednesday, June 25, to fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 loans and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits, authorities said.
Damaris Valerio, who owns and operates La Vogue House of Beauty, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said.
From April 2020 through December 2021, Valerio fraudulently obtained $194,212 in COVID-19 emergency relief funds, which were meant for distressed small businesses and pandemic unemployment insurance benefits for unemployed workers, by submitting false and fraudulent applica…
