Robert Burns, The Space Coast Rocket Editor-In-Chief, Indicted By Federal Grand Jury on Fraud Charges
By Space Coast Daily // April 16, 2024
See the complete nine-page indictment below
Federal prosecutors also stated in the indictment that Burns filed false and fictitious federal income tax documents.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Robert William Burns, editor-in-chief of The Space Coast Rocket, has been indicted on three counts of wire fraud by a Federal Grand Jury in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division.
In the Indictment handed down on April 10, the Grand Jury found that there is enough evidence and adequate legal basis to bring criminal charges against Burns.
Burns will now have to appear in court for his arraignment, at which time he will have to plead guilty, innocent or nolo contendere (accepts a conviction as though a guilty plea had been entered, but does not admit guilt).
Penalties under federal law are often more severe than their state equivalents. Federal prosecutors tout above a 95% conviction rate, which is primarily due to the fact that most cases never make it to trial.
In the nine-page indictment, which can be seen in its entirety below, federal prosecutors explain in detail how, beginning around April 1, 2021, Burns schemed to defraud and to obtain money and property from the “Payroll Protection Program” by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.
The Indictment states that Burns knowingly submitted false and fraudulent PPP loan applications to receive over $57,186 in Covid “CARES ACT” funds and used the funds for his gambling and cryptocurrency purchases instead of using the funds for workers payroll.
The Federal prosecutors also state in the indictment that Burns filed false and fictitious federal income tax documents.
Upon conviction, Burns will face criminal penalties and be forced to forfeit to the United States government, any property, real or personal, which constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the violation.
You can see the complete Indictment below:
