Bay Ridge resident Khaled Salem was indicted for allegedly stealing COVID-19 reduction funds and submitting pretend petitions to get on the 2024 Democratic main poll for U.S. Senate.
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Authorities indicted a Bay Ridge man on a number of fees for allegedly stealing greater than $104,000 in COVID-19 reduction funds and a scheme to get on the 2024 Democratic main poll for U.S. Senate through the use of fraudulent election petitions.
In accordance with Brooklyn District Legal professional Eric Gonzalez, the defendant, Khaled Salem, purportedly utilized for a Paycheck Safety Program mortgage in April of 2020, for his nonprofit group, American Human Rights, Inc. He later acquired a $104,166 mortgage on March 15, 2021 earlier than making use of for mortgage forgiveness the place he supplied false details about payroll prices and itemizing pretend workers.
“Misusing public funds intended to help small businesses recover, and fabricating support to appear on the ballot, are serious allegations that reflect a troubling disregard for the law and public trust,” Gonzalez stated in a press release. “Whether it’s stealing taxpayer money or trying to manipulate an election, these alleged actions demand accountability. My office remains committed to protecting both public resources and the integrity of our democratic process.”
In a separate plot, Salem allegedly submitted a virtually 6,000-page petition to the New York State Board of Elections on April 2, 2024, looking for to qualify for the Democratic main poll. The petition included round 30,000 signatures collected throughout New York State, however witnesses and investigators discovered that many signatures have been cast, with false addresses and faux signatures.
Witnesses reportedly denied gathering signatures for Salem’s marketing campaign, and in the end, he didn’t make it onto the poll.
“New Yorkers must be able to trust that our democracy and our economy are protected from fraud,” Legal professional Basic Letitia James stated. “Khaled Salem allegedly tried to undermine an election and critical financial aid to businesses with his schemes, but today we are bringing him to justice.”
The case entails a 60-count indictment, together with fees of grand larceny, providing false devices for submitting, identification theft, and election regulation violations. Salem was ordered launch with out bail and is scheduled to return to court docket in September.
Raymond J. Riley, III and Kristen Zebrowski Stavisk, co-Government administrators of the NYS Board of Elections additionally referred to as out the introduced crimes.
“While incidents of election fraud are rare, they are serious and unacceptable. New Yorkers deserve to know that those who attempt to undermine the democratic process will face consequences,” the joint assertion stated.
The investigation was performed in partnership with the New York State Legal professional Basic’s Workplace and the State Board of Elections. Prosecutors from the Brooklyn DA’s Workplace, led by Assistant District Legal professional Adam Libove, are dealing with the case.
