Dade City man stole more than $1.9 million from Covid-19 relief program
January 28, 2021 - Keith Nicoletta of Dade City must forfeit two vehicles and Pasco County property purchased with more than $1.9 million in Paycheck Protection Program funds that he acquired via a fraudulent application. According to the Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nicoletta, 48, and unnamed conspirators appealed to the U.S. Small Business Administration for economic relief via PPP, falsely claiming that Nicoletta’s business employed 69 people and had a monthly payroll of $760,000. In fact, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated, no such business exists. After laundering the $1.9 million through various financial institutions, Nicoletta bought a $100,000 2020 Mercedes car, a $66,000 2020 Ford F-250 pickup, jewelry and a pool for his home. He has pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge and faces 20 years in prison if convicted.