Judge finds business owner charged with COVID-19 relief fraud violated bail conditions – WMTW Portland

The Maine business owner expected to stand trial this summer for alleged COVID-19 relief fraud is now in custody, accused of violating bail conditions. Federal prosecutors and jail administrators confirm Nathan Reardon is being held at the Hancock County jail, a federally contracted facility. Reardon was sent there following his arrest after a federal magistrate judge revoked his bail last week. In newly filed court documents, federal prosecutors allege Nathan Reardon, a landlord, of submitting eleven applications for pandemic-related emergency rental assistance for properties in Dexter, Howland and Solon. A condition of Reardon’s bail for federal charges related to COVID-19 relief fraud stated that Reardon could not apply for pandemic-related financial assistance without approval from his parole officer. Reardon’s trial is scheduled to begin June 7. Prosecutors allege Reardon used much of a nearly $60,000 paycheck protection program loan in the early stage of the pandemic on personal expenses, funds that were intended for business and payroll costs. Reardon pleaded not guilty. Filings from prosecutors include a signed declaration from Reardon’s parole officer saying Reardon never sought his approval before applying for and receiving pandemic-related financial assistance.Requesting a warrant for Reardon’s arrest, the U.S. attorney’s office in Bangor stated that in several of the financial assistance applications Reardon signed on behalf of an entity called Ultimate Property Holdings.The company’s website displays a gallery of picturesque properties. The site states, in part: “Our vision is to achieve absolute perfection in all our endeavors with our unwavering adherence to excellence, commitment and integrity.”It is one of the more than 60 entities listed as being in Nathan Reardon’s business portfolio on the website nathanreardon.com.According to the parole officer’s declaration, Ultimate Property Holdings was a registered LLC in Florida however the Maine Department of State website showed no results for the company which, the parole office wrote, indicated Reardon failed to get the necessary authority to do business in Maine. Reardon’s attorney Hunter Tzovarras told 8 Investigates in an email: “It was our position at the hearing that Mr. Reardon did not intentionally violate the bail conditions by applying for the rental assistance on behalf of his tenants, and there are conditions of release the court can fashion that will address any concerns the court may have, including prohibiting Mr. Reardon from applying for any Government aid while on bail.”A federal judge signed an order last week stating he found “clear and convincing evidence” that Reardon violated bail conditions by applying for the emergency rental assistance, ordering Reardon to be detained pending trial. On Monday, Reardon’s attorney formally objected to the federal magistrate’s order. Tzovarras asked for Reardon to be released with the added condition that he can’t apply for any state or federal relief while out on bail.