PHILADELPHIA, PA — United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero has announced the indictment of Justin Heimbach, a 33-year-old resident of Bath, Pennsylvania. Heimbach faces six counts of mail fraud and four counts of wire fraud, accused of orchestrating schemes to defraud the federal government and local car dealerships.
The allegations date back to March 2020, following the introduction of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). This act established the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, designed to support individuals ineligible for regular unemployment benefits. According to the indictment, Heimbach, operating TeamKJ Construction, allegedly filed false PUA applications. These applications purported that individuals lost employment with TeamKJ due to COVID-19, despite containing misleading information.
Additionally, Heimbach is accused of defrauding several car dealerships in the Lehigh Valley. Allegedly, he purchased vehicles under various construction company names linked to him and issued checks from accounts lacking sufficient funds or already closed.
If convicted, Heimbach could face a maximum sentence of 200 years in prison. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the United States Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, and the FBI’s Allentown Resident Agency. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy M. Lanni and S. Chandler Harris.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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