Indiana man sentenced to federal prison for stealing $600K through multiple fraud schemes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A federal judge sentenced a southern Indiana man to prison for stealing nearly $600,000 through several fraud schemes.

According to a news release, 38-year-old Joseph Merk of Crandall, Indiana, was sentenced to four and a half years in federal prison.

Merk pleaded guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft and tax evasion charges stemming from multiple fraud schemes over a period of several years.

Federal officials said Merk submitted fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program applications for ineligible businesses and falsified documents, obtaining more than $150,000 — which he used for personal expenses.

Merk also stole identities to open bank accounts and apply for business loans using fake business names and counterfeit bank statements, obtaining more than $420,000.

"Merk treated fraud as a way of life," said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "He stole pandemic relief funds, hijacked innocent people’s identities, lied to banks and cheated on his taxes. Fraud of this magnitude doesn’t just hurt institutions, it disrupts lives, damages credit and burdens taxpayers."

In addition, Merk falsely disputed credit card charges that he made for luxury vacations and failed to report nearly $210,000 in income between 2017 and 2021.

Merk will have to pay about $492,000 in restitution.