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A California couple has disappeared after stealing millions of dollars in Covid-19 relief funds. They left their three kids goodbye


They left a typed note for the 13, 15 and 16 year olds.

According to Ayvazyan’s lawyer, “We will be together again one day”. “This is not a goodbye but a brief farewell.”

That was at the end of August. Nearly three months later – and five months after his conviction in June – the couple has yet to be found. The FBI is looking for them.

That hasn’t stopped a judge this week from sentenced Ayvazyan, 43, and Terabelian, 37, in absentia to 17 and six years in prison, respectively. Prosecutors said they and others carried out a conspiracy to steal more than $20 million in small business relief funds during the pandemic.

U.S. Attorney Tracy L. Wilkison said: “The defendants used the COVID-19 crisis to steal millions of dollars in much-needed government aid for affected people and businesses. economy of the worst pandemic in a century”.

Another federal prosecutor said their case was The first of its kind in the nation to go to court.

Stolen money promotes lavish lifestyle

The couple and Ayvazyan’s brother, Artur Ayvazyan, 41, were found guilty conspired to commit bank fraud, money transfer fraud and money laundering at a trial in June. Richard Ayvazyan and his brother were also found guilty of identity theft.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the trial, they used fake or stolen identities – including the names of the deceased and foreign exchange students who had been visiting the US for some time. short years ago – to fraudulently apply for about 150 federal pandemic relief loans in order to forge. businesses in the San Fernando Valley.

Federal prosecutors said that to assist with fraudulent loan applications, they submitted forged identification along with forged tax forms and payroll records to lenders and the Administration. Small Business Manager.

The couple, along with their brother Ayvazyan and five accomplices, used the money to buy mansions in three Southern California cities – Tarzana, Glendale and Palm Desert – along with gold coins, diamonds, furniture, and luxury watches. and a Harley-Davidson, prosecutors said.

Richard Ayvazyan of Tarzana, California, is seen outside court at his trial in June.  He was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for fraudulently applying for government emergency loans during the pandemic.

When convicted, they had to take three homes and luxury items, along with bank accounts and about $450,000 in cash.

“When our nation is at its most vulnerable, these individuals only think about lining their own pockets,” Ryan L. Korner, an agent in the IRS Office of Criminal Investigation, after sentencing this week. “These sentences reflect the seriousness of these crimes.”

It is not clear whether Richard Ayvazyan masterminded this plot, but of the 8 people convicted so far, he received the longest sentence – 17 years. No one else was sentenced to more than six years. His brother, Artur Ayvazyan, has five years.

At Monday’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson called Richard Ayvazyan “a cold, endemic fraudster with no regard for the law” and one who “consides fraud as a member of the community.” accumulation.”

The couple’s three children were in the courtroom to witness the sentencing of their parents and uncle.

Ayvazyan’s lawyer says there’s more to the story than that

The whereabouts of Richard Ayvazyan and Marietta Terabelian are still unknown. FBI is offering a $20,000 bonus for information leading to their arrest.

Ashwin J. Ram, Ayvazyan’s attorney, said prosecutors painted an exaggerated picture of his client’s involvement.

“It should be noted that the government repeatedly touts this as an $18 million or $20 million case, depending on the date and who is speaking,” Ram told CNN. “However, at the sentencing hearing, the court held that Richard Ayvazyan was only responsible for the amount of loss in the range of $1.5 million. That is far from the government’s theory of the case.”

Ram said he has not spoken to Ayvazyan since he fled in August. He believes that if his client were in court, he would have explained his side of the story.

He said: “It is a pity that Mr Ayvazyan was not present to complete the picture for the court. “That will shed light on his background and experience, including his role as a community leader, angel investor, and father and husband.”

Marietta Terabelian, right, seen in June, was sentenced to six years in prison for conspiracy to commit fraud and other federal crimes.

Ram also said the couple’s family believes they may have been kidnapped by other accomplices.

“He (Ayvazyan) has been accused of conspiring with dozens of people, and only a few have been charged. So if he really is the ringleader, someone out there might want to silence him. .”

Ram added that in addition to a message to their children, the couple’s farewell letter also addressed the threats they were facing – “something about them leaving to avoid danger to their family.” family.”

He called on the government to investigate.

Terabelian’s attorney, Ryan Fraser, described her to CNN as “a loving mother and devoted wife who tirelessly supported not only her three children but also her parents, mother and father. her husband and sister.” He added that “Judge Wilson recognized this in his sentence, imposing significantly less than a third of the time prosecutors searched in their memo.”

Fraser declined to answer other questions about its customers or the fraudulent loan scheme.

Information about Artur Ayvazyan’s attorney was not immediately available.

The children’s guardians had hoped to send them to Armenia

The couple’s three children are in the care of their grandmother and a court-appointed guardian, Ram said.

He said their carers had recently applied for emergency passports to let them go to Armenia, where they have relatives.

Defenders had hoped to send the children to Armenia to avoid the media surrounding the sentencing of their parents, but the passports were not approved, he said.

Ram also said he objected to the court’s sentencing of Richard Ayvazyan and Terabelian in absentia, adding that he wanted the hearing to be delayed until and when they recur.

Five other Southern Californians, including Artur Ayvazyan’s wife, pleaded guilty to various charges in the case. Four of them were convicted, with sentences ranging from probation to six years in prison.

Artur Ayvazyan’s wife is expected to be sentenced on December 6, but the judge has yet to issue a ruling withdrawing her plea.

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