Former Atlantic City Housing Authority Coordinator Charged with Fraud in Connection With COVID-19 Relief Funds

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, man was arrested today for fraudulent acts he committed in connection with COVID-19 relief funds, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Luquay Zahir, 49, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of making false statements to influence the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth A. Pascal in Camden federal court and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.   

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In 2020 and 2021, Zahir, then the Coordinator for the Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) grant program for the Atlantic City Housing Authority and Urban Redevelopment Agency, fraudulently obtained more than $30,000 through a Paycheck Protection Program loan and Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance issued under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. 

The count of making false statements to influence the SBA carries a maximum potential penalty of two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. The count of wire fraud carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI Newark Atlantic City Resident Agency under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy; and special agents of SBA Office of Inspector General’s Eastern Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Braithwaite, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric A. Boden, Attorney-in-Charge of the Trenton Branch Office.

The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.