New Jersey Couple Convicted in $13,000,000 Ghost Ride Fraud Aimed at Elderly and Homeless

Key points

• A federal jury in Utica, New York convicted Jael Watts and Luis Pino-Copete over a fake transit company seeking federal funds, the DOJ said.
• Prosecutors say Pearl Transit Corporation sought over $13 million and received more than $1.6 million from agencies in Georgia, California and North Carolina.
• Each faces up to 20 years in prison, $250,000 fines and at least $1.9 million restitution at a January 21st, 2027 sentencing.

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