Nine New Yorkers have pleaded guilty to defrauding the state’s COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program, the state Inspector General’s Office announced Friday. Three of those individuals reside on Long Island – Tanvir Milon, 55, of Farmingdale; Juned Khan, 56, of Deer Park; and Nadeem Sheikh, 56, of New Hyde Park.
Fraudulent Claims
The defendants submitted applications for grants using information related to businesses that were either fictitious or already closed. These applications sought funds intended to help small firms recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang.
Between May 2025 and February 2026, all nine defendants pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree and petit larceny in Queens Supreme Court. Tanvir Milon was ordered to pay $280,512 in restitution, while Juned Khan and Nadeem Sheikh were ordered to pay $70,000 and $46,208, respectively.
Expanding the Scope of the Fraud
Investigators determined that Milon submitted claims for nine fraudulent businesses and also defrauded the federal COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program for more than $2.5 million. Khan used eight businesses to steal $127,300 from the state program and $72,000 from the federal program. Sheikh stole $96,208 in state recovery grants through two fraudulent businesses.
The state has already received $760,000 of the nearly $1.1 million in restitution ordered. This case is part of a broader effort to reclaim pandemic relief funds improperly awarded to over 100 businesses and arts groups statewide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges did the defendants face?
The nine defendants pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree and petit larceny in Queens Supreme Court.
Where are the other defendants located?
The other six defendants are residents of Queens: Mahbub Malik, Yousuf Md, Mohammed Chowdhury, Zakir Chowdhury, Tufail Ahmed, and Mohammad Khan.
What was the stated purpose of the grant program?
The COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to help small enterprises cover costs such as wages, overhead, and personal protective equipment for employees.
As the state continues its efforts to recover misused funds, it remains to be seen what additional measures may be taken to prevent similar instances of fraud in future relief programs.
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