Phoenix man sentenced to 10 years in prison for $2.2 million COVID-19 fraud scheme and firearm offenses

Date: Oct. 14, 2026

Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov

Phoenix, AZ – Mohammed Maio of Phoenix was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi to 10 years in prison. Maio previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire and Bank Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Bank Fraud, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Materially False Statement During the Acquisition of a Firearm.

“Maio’s actions resulted in significant financial loss to the U.S. government and exploited a program intended to provide relief to small businesses during a national crisis.” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Fraud of this nature weakens the effectiveness of federal assistant programs and places an additional burden on taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost of these crimes.”

“While business owners and families were struggling during the COVID pandemic, Maio was scheming to defraud the government relief programs for personal gain,” said Scott Brown, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS CI Phoenix Field Office. “This case demonstrates IRS CI’s ongoing commitment to pursuing individuals who abused these pandemic relief programs and ensuring they are held accountable.”

“This significant sentence is part of a multi-agency effort to hold those who took advantage of COVID-era programs accountable,” said A.J. Gibes, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division. “Not only did Mr. Maio commit fraud against the United States government, but he also illegally armed himself to protect his multi-million-dollar scheme. We are proud to work with our IRS partners to bring those who would defraud the American people to justice.”

According to court documents, between May 2020 and March 2024, Maio conspired to fraudulently obtain and misuse multiple Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan relief loans. He submitted false information to secure nearly $2.2 million in loans for multiple businesses that had no employees, and the funds were used for personal enrichment, including the purchase of multiple properties, rather than legitimate business purposes.

In addition to the fraud charges, Maio, a convicted felon, arranged for his mother to purchase a firearm on his behalf in May 2021. Mohammed Maio admitted that he caused his mother to falsely state on the purchase application that the firearm was for her use, rather than his, and that he later illegally possessed the firearm she purchased.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Rapp, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

IRS-CI is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. It is the only federal law enforcement agency with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code. IRS-CI has 16 field offices located across the U.S. and maintains an international presence through attaché posts abroad.