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A Miami real estate broker has been charged with federal fraud for allegedly using COVID-19 relief funds to finance a lavish lifestyle consisting of private jets, luxury yachts, fast cars and fancy clothes.
Daniela Rendón, 31, did not shy away from the amount of wealth she had amassed, regularly boasting on her social media accounts and her 33,000 followers.
According to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of FloridaRendon received $381,000 through the Small Business Administration and Paycheck Protection Program.
But instead of using the funds to prop up his business during the pandemic, it is alleged that he spent the money together with close friends and family.
Among other things, the money was used to lease a 2021 Bentley Bentayga, which sells for around $181,000, which he showed off on his Instagram account.
Daniela Rendon, 31, is alleged to have used COVID relief funds to lease a 2021 Bentley Bentayga (retail price $181,000) which she posted on her Instagram account, pictured
Among other things, the money was used to lease a 2021 Bentley Bentayga, selling price $181,000, which he showed off on his Instagram account.
Photos posted on her social media account show her enjoying a lavish lifestyle.
Rendón posted photos of herself on her social media account wearing fancy clothes, going on tropical vacations, and traveling in private planes.
The money was also used to rent a luxury apartment in Biscayne Bay, undergo cosmetic procedures and fix up a pair of her designer shoes.
Rendon, a mother of three, has been charged with seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft. She faces up to 20 years in prison if she is found guilty.
A judge set his bail at $150,000 after prosecutors deemed he was a flight risk and likely to return to his native Colombia to evade justice.
Rendon was allegedly able to get hold of money intended for struggling businesses by falsifying business data to secure PPP funds.
It is alleged that he has fabricated information including revenue, payroll, costs, tax information, and employee count.
Rendón refers to herself as an ‘Ultra Luxury’ real estate agent
Instead of using it to support his business, Rendon allegedly used the funds to lease a 2021 Bentley, a luxury apartment, cosmetic surgery and buy shoes.
Rendon was far from discreet when it came to flaunting her lavish lifestyle.
Rendon is alleged to have received $381,000 in relief funds funneled into his personal account even though it was strictly for his “Luxury Real Estate” business.
The falsified data was sent to lenders in New Jersey and Idaho and the loans were paid directly to her through her corporate bank account.
Rendon, who refers to herself as an ‘Ultra Luxury’ real estate agent in LinkedIn, then allegedly wired the payments to her and her inner circle of friends in accordance with the The New Herald.
He allegedly arranged for a payroll processor in New Jersey to process the loans and write checks that were then issued to family and friends.
The indictment, filed by US Attorney Jonathan Bailyn, alleges how Rendon applied for his business loans through the SBA Paycheck Protection Program for $371,000 and the Economic Injury Disaster Relief program for $10,000.
Rendón allegedly arranged for a payroll processor in New Jersey to process the loans and write checks that were then issued to family and friends.
Rendon, a mother of three, was charged with seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft. She faces up to 20 years in prison.
A judge set Rendón’s bail at $150,000 after prosecutors deemed him a flight risk and likely to return to his native Colombia.
Rendon was allegedly able to get hold of the money by falsifying business data to obtain the PPP funds, including revenue, payroll, costs, tax information, and employee counts.