EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) - An Edina man appeared in federal court after being charged with five counts of wire fraud related to the theft of $975,000 in COVID-19 relief funds.

Mark Erjavec, 49, of Edina, is accused of exploiting the COVID-19 crisis by defrauding relief programs meant to keep small businesses alive.

COVID fraud scheme

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Federal prosecutors allege that Erjavec reactivated dormant business entities to file false applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection Program funds.

Erjavec's businesses, dissolved between 2008 and 2013, were used to claim nonexistent employees and inflated revenues falsely, the charges state. He reportedly opened new accounts for these entities to facilitate the fraud.

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Minneapolis

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