Tony Sterlin Cantave, 46, of Cheshire, was sentenced on May 12 by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to three months in prison and three years of supervised release for defrauding a pandemic relief program.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to prosecute individuals who exploited federal programs meant to provide emergency assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), distributed through the U.S. Small Business Administration under the CARES Act, were designed to help small businesses meet operating expenses during the crisis.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Cantave applied for EIDL funding in June 2020 using false information about his business, Arbitrage 1 Media. He claimed it was an active limousine and transportation company and denied being more than 60 days delinquent on child support obligations. After approval from the SBA, Cantave received $96,200 but used the funds for personal expenses such as paying off an automobile loan.
Judge Bolden ordered Cantave to pay $109,605.21 in restitution. On June 24, 2025, Cantave pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government money and one count of making an illegal monetary transaction. This is his third federal conviction; he previously served sentences for a firearm offense and participation in a money order fraud scheme.
Cantave remains free on bond until he reports to prison on July 15. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced creation of its National Fraud Enforcement Division focused on investigating fraud against federal benefit programs as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud led by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut prosecutes federal crimes and manages civil cases for the United States within Connecticut while employing about 68 assistant attorneys and running offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport; it is one of the oldest prosecutorial offices established in 1789 according to its official website.
