Santa Barbara dentist who stole COVID relief funds facing prison time
August 21, 2023
Ranjan Rajbanshi
By KAREN VELIE
A Santa Barbara Dentist is facing up to 10 years in prison for bilking the government out of $500,000 in COVID relief funds — which he used on personal expenditures such as investments, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Ranjan Rajbanshi, 46, pleaded guilty Monday to stealing $500,000 of the $850,000 in COVID-19 relief money he received for his practices in Santa Barbara and Bakersfield. Rajbanshi represented to the government that he would only use the relief money for specified business purposes such as facility costs, payroll, and protective equipment for him and his staff.
He has agreed to pay $500,000 back to the government before his sentencing. In addition, Rajbanshi faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 4.
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