(KRON) -- A Northern California man who used COVID-19 disaster relief business loans and funding to live a lavish lifestyle was convicted this week and ordered to pay $1.5 million back to the United States government.

Jedrek Upton, 45, of Lincoln, Calif., used some of his COVID loans to lease a Ferrari and a Lamborghini for himself, as well as make a large down-payment on a $2.7 million, 10-acre property, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of California.

Upton pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced Wednesday.

Prosecutors said, between January 2021 and May 2022, Upton repeatedly lied on applications for COVID funds that he submitted on behalf of his businesses. He claimed that the money would b

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