Richmond, Texas (KTRK) – A 39-year-old Richmond man has been fraudulently accused of obtaining nearly $600,000 in financial aid at several Texas colleges and universities, according to a US attorney.
Emmanuel Venet was due to appear in court on Monday after a federal grand jury returned the seven-count indictment on Sept. 28.
Finney started the alleged scheme in 2017. The indictment documents say he illegally obtained financial aid money for more than 30 alleged students at eight colleges and universities in Texas.
Finney used other individuals’ identities to prepare, submit, and sign fraudulent and fraudulent financial assistance applications, according to the indictment.
He allegedly used postal addresses, phone numbers, and email accounts he controlled to ensure that any information from the Department of Education and Colleges was sent directly to him. The indictment alleges that he then obtained refunds of the financial aid through an electronic transfer.
The charges went on saying that Finney either aided or assisted in the aggravated identity theft of two alleged students. According to the indictment, he or others fraudulently possessed temporary driver’s permits or identification cards.
Finney is accused of using the money for his own benefit rather than educational purposes.
He faces one count of theft of government funds, one count of student financial aid fraud, one count of illegal use or transmission of identity documents, and four counts of aggravated identity theft.
If convicted of stealing government funds, Finney faces up to 10 years in federal prison, while student financial aid fraud and illegal use or transfer of identity documents could carry up to five years in prison. Additionally, each aggravated identity theft charge carries a two-year prison sentence which must be served consecutively for any other punishment imposed.
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