A Bergen County man has admitted to fraudulently obtaining over $600,000 in federal COVID-19 relief funds. Malak Faltawws, also known as “Mark Andrews,” pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025, to charges of wire fraud and money laundering. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court.
According to case documents and court statements, Faltawws secured approximately $617,991 from March 2020 through November 2021 by submitting false applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. He reportedly inflated his businesses’ revenue and payroll expenses and then used the funds for personal gain.
The charges against Faltawws include a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and 10 years for money laundering. Both charges carry potential fines of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss involved. Sentencing is set for October 22, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited the investigation to special agents from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations under Special Agent in Charge Jenifer Piovesan’s direction, along with investigators from the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission led by Chief Administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd.
This case is part of a broader effort by the District of New Jersey COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force, which is one of five such strike forces established across the United States by the Department of Justice. These teams focus on identifying large-scale pandemic relief fraud committed by criminal organizations and transnational actors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aja Espinosa from Newark’s Economic Crimes Unit represents the government in this matter.
The public can report information about attempted COVID-19 fraud by contacting the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via their online form.
Defense counsel for Faltawws includes Areeb Salim and Shaiba Rather.
