Lehigh Acres Man Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Illegal Monetary Transactions

Fort Myers, Florida - Thakur Sukhdeo (40, Lehigh Acres) has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud and two counts of illegal monetary transactions related to COVID relief. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count, and up to 10 years' imprisonment for each illegal monetary transaction count. Sukhdeo has also agreed to forfeit $413,900, which are the proceeds of the criminal offense. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court records, during the COVID pandemic, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offered loans to small businesses under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Beginning around April 2021, Sukhdeo engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain $413,900 by applying for an EIDL loan from the SBA using false pretenses and representations. To secure the loan, Sukhdeo submitted loan paperwork to the SBA claiming that he owned a handyman business that made $206,998 in 2019. However, bank records revealed the business made $19,843.50 that year. As part of the loan, Sukhdeo promised to only use the EIDL funds on business expenses. After applying for the loan, on March 24, 2022, the SBA deposited $413,900 into Sukhdeo's personal bank account. The following day, Sukhdeo created a business account and transferred the entirety of the EIDL funds to that account. Shortly thereafter, Sukhdeo utilized the EIDL funds to purchase a luxury vehicle for $68,984.61 and a truck for $93,994.42. Sukhdeo also made numerous cash withdrawals of the EIDL funds in the amount of $172,505, as well as other personal purchases. Within one year, Sukhdeo had spent all of the EIDL funds. The FBI subsequently seized both of Sukhdeo's vehicles and on January 13, 2025, the court ordered the civil forfeiture of both vehicles.

This case was investigated by FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Redavid. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne C. Nebesky.