Daniel Tisone

Full Report

Key Points

• Convicted Felon: Daniel Joseph Tisone, a 35-year-old Naples, Florida resident, was sentenced to over seven years in federal prison in February 2023 for defrauding COVID-19 relief programs of approximately $2.6 million.

• Fraudulent Activities: Between March 2020 and April 2021, Tisone submitted false loan applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Main Street Lending Program (MSLP), and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, misrepresenting his criminal history, payroll, employee numbers, and business revenues.

• Misuse of Funds: Tisone used the fraudulently obtained funds for personal enrichment, purchasing luxury items such as a 2019 Tiara 34LS boat, a 4.02-carat engagement ring, Naples residences, stocks, and ammunition.

• Prior Criminal History: Tisone has a history of felony convictions, including attempted robbery, assault, and drug possession, dating back to 2007.

• Legal Consequences: Ordered to pay $2,617,447.17 in restitution, forfeit assets, and serve 87 months in prison for wire fraud, bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

• No Direct Consumer Feedback: No customer reviews or feedback are available, as Tisone’s activities primarily involved fraudulent business dealings rather than consumer-facing operations.

Overview

Daniel Joseph Tisone is a 35-year-old individual from Naples, Florida, with a history of operating small businesses, primarily in the automobile detailing sector. By 2018, Tisone had incorporated six businesses in Delaware and Virginia, including TEC Ventures LLC, Rub a Dub LLC, Rub a Dub Holdings Inc., Rub a Dub Atlantic LLC, Rub a Dub Eco Wash LLC, and Rub a Dub Marines LLC. These businesses were purportedly used as fronts to secure fraudulent COVID-19 relief loans. Tisone has no publicly documented professional activities beyond these ventures, and his LinkedIn profile, which may belong to a different individual (Daniel M. Tisone), describes an IT consultant role unrelated to the Naples-based fraud case.

Tisone gained notoriety for orchestrating a $2.6 million fraud scheme targeting federal relief programs intended to support small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. His actions involved submitting falsified documents and misusing personal identities to secure loans, which he then diverted for personal luxury purchases. As a convicted felon with prior offenses in New York and Virginia, Tisone’s criminal activities culminated in a high-profile federal case investigated by the FBI, Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR), IRS – Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Reserve Board’s Office of Inspector General.

Allegations and Concerns

1. COVID-19 Relief Fraud:

   • Tisone submitted false applications for one MSLP loan, four EIDL loans, and five PPP loans between March 2020 and April 2021, totaling $2,617,447.17.

   • Misrepresentations included his criminal history, average monthly payroll, number of employees, and gross revenues.

   • Submitted fraudulent payroll, tax documents, and a fake commercial lease to support applications.

   • Used stolen identities, including names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers, to fabricate employee records and an EIDL application.

2. Aggravated Identity Theft:

   • Fraudulently used individuals’ personal information to bolster loan applications, violating federal identity theft laws.

3. Illegal Monetary Transactions:

   • Diverted loan proceeds for unauthorized purposes, including purchasing real estate, a luxury boat, an engagement ring, stocks, and ammunition.

4. Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon:

   • On March 20, 2022, a search of Tisone’s residence uncovered over 800 rounds of .223/5.56 and 9mm ammunition, illegal for a convicted felon to possess.

5. Prior Criminal Record:

   • 2007: Convicted in New York for attempted robbery, assault, and hindering prosecution stemming from a 2006 pistol-whipping incident at Hofstra University.

   • 2012: Convicted in Virginia for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

Customer Feedback

No direct customer feedback or consumer reviews are available for Tisone or his businesses (TEC Ventures LLC, Rub a Dub LLC, etc.). His activities primarily involved fraudulent loan applications rather than consumer-facing services, limiting public reviews. News reports and court documents do not mention client interactions, and no online platforms (e.g., Yelp, BBB) contain relevant feedback. The absence of reviews may indicate that Tisone’s businesses were either small-scale or primarily used as vehicles for fraud rather than active operations.

Risk Considerations

1. Financial Risks:

   • Restitution Obligation: Tisone is ordered to repay $2,617,447.17, posing a significant financial liability that could affect any future business ventures or associates.

   • Asset Forfeiture: Forfeiture of properties, a boat, an engagement ring, and cash reduces Tisone’s financial capacity and credibility.

2. Reputational Risks:

   • Criminal Convictions: Tisone’s felony record and high-profile fraud case severely damage his trustworthiness, making future business partnerships or employment challenging.

   • Public Exposure: Extensive media coverage (e.g., Naples News, Washington Post) amplifies reputational damage, particularly in Naples, Florida.

3. Legal Risks:

   • Ongoing Incarceration: Tisone’s 87-month prison sentence (ending approximately 2030) limits his ability to engage in legitimate business activities.

   • Future Prosecution: Any further criminal activity could result in harsher penalties due to his repeat offender status.

4. Associational Risks:

   • Partners or investors linked to Tisone’s businesses risk reputational and legal scrutiny, especially if unaware of his fraudulent activities.

Business Relations and Associations

• Business Entities:

  • Tisone incorporated six businesses in Delaware and Virginia: TEC Ventures LLC, Rub a Dub LLC, Rub a Dub Holdings Inc., Rub a Dub Atlantic LLC, Rub a Dub Eco Wash LLC, and Rub a Dub Marines LLC. These entities were used to apply for fraudulent loans, but no evidence suggests active operations or significant employee bases.

• No Known Partners:

  • Court documents and news reports do not mention specific business partners, employees, or associates involved in Tisone’s fraud scheme.

  • The fraudulent use of individuals’ identities suggests Tisone operated independently or with minimal collaboration.

• Legal and Investigative Entities:

  • The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trent Reichling, Suzanne Nebesky, and Julie Simonsen.

  • Investigated by the FBI, SIGPR (led by Special Agent Rogelio De Sedas), IRS – Criminal Investigation, and Federal Reserve Board OIG.

• Community Context:

  • Tisone’s sentencing memorandum describes him as a “devoted father, loving fiancée, business owner, and valued member of the Naples community,” but these claims lack corroboration and contrast with his criminal actions.

Legal and Financial Concerns

1. Federal Conviction (2023):

   • Charges: Wire fraud (4 counts), bank fraud (6 counts), illegal monetary transactions (5 counts), aggravated identity theft (2 counts), and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.

   • Sentence: 7 years and 3 months in federal prison, handed down by U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell on February 23, 2023.

   • Plea: Tisone pleaded guilty on August 26, 2022, in Fort Myers, Florida.

   • Restitution: Ordered to pay $2,617,447.17 to the U.S. government.

   • Forfeiture: Required to forfeit a 2019 Tiara 34LS boat, two Naples properties, a 4.02-carat engagement ring, approximately $65,645.69 from bank accounts, and the total fraud amount.

2. Prior Convictions:

   • 2007 (New York): Convicted of attempted robbery, assault, and hindering prosecution for a 2006 incident at Hofstra University involving pistol-whipping a drug dealer.

   • 2012 (Virginia): Convicted of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

3. No Bankruptcy or Debt Records:

   • No public records indicate bankruptcy filings or unpaid debts beyond the court-ordered restitution.

4. Potential Civil Liabilities:

   • Victims of identity theft may pursue civil claims, though no lawsuits are documented in the provided sources.

Risk Assessment Table

Daniel Joseph Tisone’s case exemplifies the exploitation of federal relief programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. His sophisticated fraud scheme, involving falsified documents and identity theft, demonstrates a pattern of deceptive behavior consistent with his prior criminal history. While Tisone’s businesses appeared legitimate on paper, their primary function was to facilitate fraud, casting doubt on their operational integrity. His personal narrative of hardship (e.g., an abusive childhood, pandemic-related business struggles) lacks substantiation and does not mitigate the severity of his actions, which harmed taxpayers and undermined relief efforts.