A 57-year-old man from Lawrence, Randolph Dominguez, has been federally charged for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to defraud the government of COVID-19 relief funds and stealing Social Security benefits for over two decades. Dominguez faces charges of wire fraud and theft of government money, with his court appearance set for a later date in Boston.
According to the allegations, in June 2020, Dominguez filed a loan application under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, intended to assist businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Representing his interpreter business, Dominguez SP Interpreters, he reportedly claimed a gross revenue of $600,000 for the prior year, a figure starkly contrasting with the actual $16,989 earned. This misrepresentation allegedly enabled him to secure $74,900 in EIDL funds, which were subsequently spent on personal expenses rather than business needs.
Additionally, prosecutors allege that from April 2001 through June 2022, Dominguez illegally obtained approximately $163,642 in Social Security benefits, further compounding the accusations against him.
If convicted, the charges carry significant penalties. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the financial gain or loss. Similarly, theft of government money can lead to a 10-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and comparable financial penalties.
U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General in Boston, jointly announced the charges. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg is leading the prosecution. While the allegations paint a troubling picture, Dominguez remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.