A Maryland man pled guilty to bank fraud and attempting to obstruct justice on Apr. 22, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland announced. Eric Tano Tataw, 39, of Gaithersburg admitted guilt on the first day of his federal trial involving fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans for his company, National Telegraph, LLC.
Tataw’s plea comes amid ongoing efforts by federal authorities to prosecute those who misuse pandemic-related financial aid programs. The case highlights continued vigilance against fraud schemes targeting government assistance intended for businesses affected by COVID-19.
According to court documents, Tataw carried out a scheme from April 2020 through May 2021 to defraud a financial institution and the U.S. Small Business Administration by seeking two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans for his business. He submitted false information about employee numbers and payroll amounts and included fake earning statements for individuals who did not work at National Telegraph.
Tataw also applied for a $150,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan using inflated revenue figures. He obtained approximately $163,302 in PPP funds and used most of it on personal expenses. In August 2023, after law enforcement served a grand-jury subpoena on a witness connected with Tataw’s company, he provided her with false earnings documents and instructed her to testify falsely before the grand jury.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reports that Tataw faces up to 30 years in federal prison but actual sentences are typically less than maximum penalties due to sentencing guidelines and statutory factors considered by judges. In addition to this case, Tataw is facing another indictment alleging conspiracy related to support of armed separatist groups in Cameroon; that matter remains pending.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland said she commended Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), and FBI agents involved in investigating this case as well as Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Wenner and Philip Motsay who are prosecuting it alongside Christina Hoffman and Paralegal Specialist Andrew Murray.
The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) is described as an interagency partnership focused on dismantling criminal organizations operating within or affecting the United States—including child trafficking cases—with participation from multiple federal agencies according to details released by prosecutors.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland is part of the Department of Justice according to its official website. The office serves nearly six million residents across Maryland according to its official website and employs over 200 personnel across civil, criminal, and administrative divisions according to its official website. It prosecutes federal crimes such as fraud cases like this one while handling civil matters for the government according to its official website. The office also partners with law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland according to its official website.
