Henderson man convicted of bank fraud

A Henderson man was convicted Wednesday for defrauding three banks of more than $11.2 million in pandemic relief funds that he used to buy houses and luxury cars, according to the Department of Justice.

Meelad Dezfooli, 30, was convicted on three counts of bank fraud, three counts of money laundering and four counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property.

The Henderson resident submitted three loan applications under the Paycheck Protection Program, intended for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, containing false information, officials said.

Dezfooli used the money he obtained to buy 25 homes, two luxury cars and for gambling, officials said.

Dezfooli continued laundering money after initial charges were brought against him, and he sold several properties purchased with the laundered funds, officials said.

Dezfooli’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 5. He faces up to 30 years in prison for each of the three bank fraud counts alone, officials said.