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The total amount stolen from these programs by Rosenberg and his co-conspirators is at least $9.3 million.
WASHINGTON — Ward 8 advisory neighborhood commissioner Clayton Rosenberg was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for stealing from COVID-19 relief programs.
Rosenberg, 31, serves as ANC for Ward 8 commission 8F. But new court documents say that between June 2020 and 2021, Rosenberg received at least $1.6 million from fraudulent applications for multiple pandemic relief programs, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The total amount stolen from these programs by Rosenberg and his co-conspirators is at least $9.3 million.
Rosenberg, along with co-conspirators, submitted at least 16 fraudulent PPP loan applications for businesses or purported businesses. They grossly inflated employee numbers and monthly payroll costs, and created false tax returns and fake bank statements. Rosenberg and his co-conspirators would often transfer money from the PPP loans between the different shell companies they controlled.
He also additionally received more than $110,000 from fraudulent unemployment insurance applications using identity information stolen from people online. Roberson and co-conspirators made up employment and wage history and contact information for the people they were impersonating.
Finally, Rosenberg had in his home equipment to make fraudulent documents, black check paper, card stock for IDs, holograms used for passports and driver licenses, at least six fraudulent Social Security cards and at least eight fake driver licenses, and he had made at least two fake Burkina Faso passports and at least one unauthorized United States passport.
Court documents say Rosenberg used the money to make luxury vehicle purchases and spent $1,800 on beard care products.
Rosenberg responded to his conviction with this statement:
“As many of you know, I am currently navigating a difficult personal situation. I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who have reached out with words of support and encouragement. Your prayers mean the world to me, and I ask that you continue to keep me in your thoughts as I take things one day at a time.
In these challenging moments, I’m focusing on spending quality time with my family and close friends, drawing strength from those who matter most to me. I believe in the power of community and prayer, and I’m confident that, with time, we can all heal and grow from these experiences.”
He continued the statement referencing fellow Ward 8 representative, councilmember Trayon White, who was arrested earlier this week by the FBI on charges of bribery.
“I also want to extend my heartfelt prayers to Councilmember Trayon White. It’s disheartening to see the struggles that are affecting us, and it’s a reminder that we all need a reset—a chance to reflect, renew, and find a path forward that benefits our entire community.”
English (US) ·