The San Bernardino duo allegedly stole $2.1 million in pandemic benefits

A San Bernardino duo has been arrested and accused of using identity theft to steal $2.1 million in benefits intended to help Americans who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Federal prosecutors said Lisa Puente, 43, and Arthur Marquez, 53, submitted more than 120 fraudulent claims for pandemic benefits to the California Department of Employment Development over the course of three years. The victims of the alleged identity theft included incarcerated Californians and U.S. citizens who did not reside in California, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The couple was arrested after a federal grand jury indicted them last week on six counts of aggravated mail fraud, one count of using unauthorized access devices and one count of aggravated identity theft. Both pleaded not guilty.

Each mail fraud conviction carries a federal penalty of up to 20 years, plus an additional 10 years for use of unauthorized access devices and two years for aggravated identity theft, officials said.

The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the case or explain how Puente and Marquez are accused of collecting private personal identification information such as Social Security numbers.

But according to the unsealed indictment filed last month, Puente and Marquez fabricated information such as annual income, fictitious jobs and false mailing addresses in their unemployment applications. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, intended to support independent contractors, business owners and people with limited work experience, did not require them to provide documentation to prove their unemployment status.

After their bogus applications were approved, Puente and Marquez were reportedly issued Bank of America debit cards for each applicant, depositing at least $167 per week for them to access, according to the indictment.

It was not clear from the indictment what Puente and Marquez were alleged to have used these funds for. However, if convicted, the couple will be ordered to forfeit any property acquired with the stolen money.

The U.S. Attorney's Office has requested that the two be held in custody ahead of their December 30 trial.