Former Florida Lawmaker Charged with $122K COVID Relief Fraud

Carolina Amesty faces federal charges for allegedly misusing pandemic relief funds through fraudulent applications tied to two businesses.

Carolina Amesty, a former Republican state representative from Windermere, Florida, has been charged with two counts of theft of government property related to COVID-19 relief fraud.
Federal prosecutors allege Amesty fraudulently obtained $122,000 in pandemic relief funds by applying in the names of two businesses.
Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
Amesty previously faced separate state forgery-related charges, which were dropped in December after she completed community service and a financial crimes course.
The charges follow broader federal efforts to combat pandemic-related fraud through the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force.