Shelton, Conn. — Vincenzo Minutolo, 38, of Shelton, has pleaded guilty to charges related to his fraudulent receipt of COVID-19 relief funds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut announced today.
Minutolo admitted to submitting fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans between March and September 2021, obtaining more than $145,000 by falsely claiming ownership or a representative relationship with City Sounds Productions LLC. According to authorities, Minutolo overstated the company’s annual income, misrepresented his history of applying for similar loans, and submitted false IRS tax filings and tax payment vouchers.
In addition to the PPP fraud, Minutolo defrauded the Connecticut Department of Labor by submitting fraudulent Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) applications between March 2020 and April 2021, claiming at least $86,000 and possibly up to $273,000 in benefits. He used the identities of deceased individuals and others unaware that their personal information was being misused, including a claim filed in the name of his deceased grandfather.
Minutolo’s fraudulent activities also included submitting weekly certifications falsely affirming the accuracy of his claims.
Minutolo has pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined later.
